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.

Assignment 3: NUS video (II)

Hi here is my final NUS video for the Ken Burn Assignment.

We were suppose to create a short NUS promotional video using the Ken Burn effect. This concept is not very different from my original idea hence there is not much change to it except for maybe making a little longer than before. (cos the previous one was seriously too short)

So the concept behind this video is to show people that NUS is not jus a place of academia. You find not just your INTELLECT but also got the chance to discover your PASSION, meet new FRIENDS for life and last but not least define who YOU are as a person. I decided to use a testimonial approach to communicate with the viewers and potential NUS students. This gives it a much closer vibe since it comes from a student instead of some higher authority in NUS or some other people outside of NUS. This makes the video and message seem more personal and friendly. Therefore I do not agree with the comment that this video might be too narrow to cater to the general public.

Another thing I wanted to have in the video is a more upbeat vibe for it. Hence the choice of a more groovy music than some classical music playing at the background. To accompany the upbeat flow of the song, the pics are made to move faster also. I purposefully made one part of the video flash the pics of me and my friends faster. This gives the video a climax before leading to the last message of 'In NUS I found ME!'. Another thing I wish to elaborate on is also the use of the 'US' in the word 'NUS'. I wanted it to not be a one sided video communicating thing but also the video's purpose is to urge and encourage viewers to actively go to the website to know more about NUS and the different faculties it has. Hence I decided to zoom out from the US in NUS. It meant 'Join US in NUS to search for YOU!'.

One change I made to the video is to make it more consistent thoughout. Some of the initial phrases used for the storyboard and version one of the video is replaced with simper words. This gives the video an overall more consistent feel.

Another consistent thing throughout the video is the use of the word 'i'. I wanted to emphasis alot on the 'i' so that's why all the words chosen contains the letter 'i' in them, such as PASSiON, iNTELLECT, FRiENDS. For the last message since I wanted to use 'i found ME!', the exclamation mark is used to represent the letter 'i'.

This video also brought in the 'Random Blends' event which I participated in. This would be proof to the public that in NUS you definitely go beyond academia. You are able to stand a chance to participate in the CNM exhibitions and have your work shown to the public.

Assignment 5 (cancelled)

Assignment 4: Prepoduction FINAL

Ok this assignment was supposed to have 3 aspects of it. First we are to produce 3 sets of documentation. We need to reverse engineer a film and submit 2 preproduction documents for our CNM and NUS promotional videos. Thank god we only have to submit 1 in the end and it is the NUS preproduction document.

Initially I thought it would not be that difficult. How difficult is it to submit a script and a storyboard? But after sitting down and going through wht a preproduction document is made up of, I realised the script and the storyboard are just the tip of the iceberg.

Basically we are supposed to not only submit the script and storyboard but also to create a detailed timeline of our production schedule and a budget as well as other resources we need. So after much brainstorming, we decided to break down our jobscope. Basically after deciding on the concept of our video, we went down to reproducing it on paper.

The concept of the video was to promote NUS. And for that we decided to use the normal everyday sounds of NUS life to create a music video. This concept is very much like the STOMP concept but obviously we are not going to copy the entire idea wholesale.

First since our video does not require speech so much, our script lacked the verbal dialogue aspect. It is just made up of the different locations and scenes we intend to have. The video is also going to be made up of scenes of people in NUS and the sounds created from it and the scenes would flash in and out to create both the aesthetics and also the visual content.

The process of filming is also difficult since it is very difficult to get the scenes and sounds to be insync since we are getting them separately. Financing is also not an issue since most of our equipments can be borrowed from NUS and since the video is to reflect NUS life, we pretty much have the things essential to film the scenes. So no extra or extravagant charges are incurred. Location wise, is also not an issue since NUS is pretty open and allow us to film if we do have legitimate academic reasons.

Below is an example of our storyboard.

For more information regarding our preproduction storyboard, you can visit these links of our group members.

Margaret

Wanyu

Rahman

Assignment 3: NUS and CNM video (I)

This week we are to create two short promotional videos for both NUS and CNM using the Ken Burn effect. Using still images and through the use of music and images, we are supposed to set the mood and make the few mins enjoyable and informative. So the first week we are to show and present our storyboards for the two videos. The first two images are the NUS promotional video.

Basically I wish to convey the message that I am a student from NUS and this is my story. In NUS I found all these aspects of me so you can find yours too! The message is simple and the execution is simple as well. It is pretty straight forward. I had a video shown but I removed it to replace it with the official one left for submission. The mood for the video is fast paced and comments are the video is interesting to watch as well as engaging. But the video seemed to hav a climax too late in the video. When the song and images built up to the climax, the video ended abruptly. Another comment was that the words are alittle too difficult to see with the images flashin past so fast. Although it is too fast, but they like how there is this one part where the images flashing was in tune with the pace of the song. This helped built the climax and sets the mood for the video.

During class, I was only able to present the NUS video. So the comments regarding the CNM video are all from the online forum. So here they are.

Jia Hwa said
"I like how your CNM video is really dynamic, but perhaps during the initial part you can have the module title or what the module is about as the focus. People may not know what the module code stands for."

Xiu Yi commented,
"Hi kern! Its a nice video and i like the idea of showing the module names and having some photos to explain the coursework...

the last part where all the module names are flashed, maybe you can make sure that the full words are shown before it disappears and transits to the next module...

lastly, for the colours for the 'communications and new media'... maybe can change the colours cuz i personally feel that it looks alil coherent. purple blue and green... maybe can choose complimentary colours?"

Jia Yang commented on the NUS video instead,
"I like your NUS video! The transitions, the fonts, the music, very much like a fashion ad. Hahah! Thats a good thing, I think it does captures people's attention. I also like how you play with the "i"s. Very cool! While I think it gives cool vibes to NUS name, maybe it doesnt appeal to some audience. But then again, Kudos because this is a design module. hahha :)"

Mallika also commented,
"Your cnm video has good images and music but if you are an outsider watching the video its difficult to understand that these are the modules offered. I think you need more text or a voiceover or smtg because its great but abrupt, there seems to be smtg missing."

Overall I would say that the comments are good and positive which means I am on the right track. But the comments mentioned do matter alot as well. So with that being said, I would seriously put them into consideration and the next post would reveal what I had done to improve on the videos.

Assignment 2 (I)

After the tedious and hectic week before revamping the MDL website, this week is an individual project that require us to take pictures, at least 7, to tell a story. Just when I thought I am over CSS, this week's medium is through the use of web images. The theme this week is 'A Day in the University/NUS'.

So I got down to brainstorm my storyline and what would best tell my day/journey in NUS. It is kinda boring to use the typical CCAs, academia, and friends concept. So I decided to do something with Wanyu, Margaret and Rahman. We wanted to do something that could link all 4 of our assignments together. We would personify the characters of the famous childhood fairytale 'Wizard of Oz'. The initial plan was to have me acting as the brain searching Scarecrow.

After a few days of running around school and taking pictures, I realised that my images are quite different from the rests. Hence I decided to tweak my story abit. So basically my story goes about with me in the library. I wanted the caption for the images to rhyme alittle and have a link from start till end. So here are what I have in mind.

Life in NUS is like a library.

The library is like a jungle.

You struggle to survive.

You either succeed or die trying.

In the jungle, you leave remnants of yourself behind.

You get lost and...

... You get enlightened.

At the end of the day, it is nothing but a void.

Basically the days in NUS might seem bleak and alone when you are in it (hence the dark yellow colour to the pictures and also each photo only has one person being in the focus.) but you realised that you are not alone and your presence is felt by many and you leave imprints of yourself where ever you are and what ever you do with your days in NUS (hence the green little bag that is found lying around in the pictures). At the end of your journey, you will realise that all these conquest of knowledge is nothing but pointless.

One of the restrictions for this week's assignment is to not exceed 180KB. Therefore pardon the bad resolution but overall I still think the pictures are visually pleasing and consistent. Comments were that the rhyme is good and the pictures are well taken and consistent.

Here is a screen capture of how the first version looked like.

Overall I am quite happy with the look of my pictures. One of the comments was that the pictures are well taken and consistent looking. So I guess the only thing I would change would be the website layout for the pictures. Maybe I will use something more interactive than the one I used before.

Stay tuned!

Assignment 1: MDL website FINAL

For this week, we are supposed to modify an existing website. And the website is, the Media Development Laboratory website, MDL.

Here are some screen captures of how the website looks like.










Overall, we thought the website looked quite boring and uninviting. The website lacked interactivity and is aesthetically unattractive. So we decided to modify it and make it more interesting and interactive.

Since this particular assignment involves the use of CSS and dreamweaver, I am glad that it is a group assignment because I have no idea how to use CSS/Dreamweaver at all haha. But I hope to change that by the end of this assignment.


There are some restrictions for this assignment as well. Here are the instructions for the website assignment.


Use Principles of Visual Communications (i.e., Design Principle) to modify the existing website. Create a theme for your own design (any theme you like). Define the typefaces used, the color, the grid and other design elements applied in CSS. Design the graphics (images) to suit your theme. Upload your design on the server. Give your design a brief name (using DNS).


So since lacked the technical skills necessary for this assignment, I was very much involved in creating the visuals and designs for it while the rest search for and apply java scripts and codes and etc.


Starting with the main page, as a team, we concluded that the original main page was quite cluttered looking and the page is too black to attract attention. So we decided to make the page brighter and have the focus on the name of the website than anything else. We removed the redundant information of it's working hours and made the images smaller to fit the film strip. The two film strips form a V shape and this places the focus on the MDL title more. To make the page more coherent, we decided on a consistent theme to use the splatters for all the pages. I placed the words in this manner because a user's eyes usually falls on the top left corner of the webpage and that is where the film strip is. The film strip will lead the eyes onto the M letter and users can read from there the word attached to it and following the M, the eyes will lead downward to D and then to L. This makes the entire website more pleasing to the eyes and made it easier to comprehend it. The splatter at the back also enhances the focus on the words.


The images used is also relevant to the purpose of the website and we reduced the number of images to reduce clutter.
For the next page, as you can see other than reorganising the information onto this page and reusing the images, we made this page more interactive. We used a CSS style/transcript that enabled users to place their cursers on the MDL blue box and an image of the MDL entrance would be seen. This increased user participation and interactivity. As you can see also, the use of the splatter is consistent and non invasive, in a way that it does not interfere with the information on the page and it not only emphasis on the word, purpose of the webpage, but also beautify the page. And as you can see with the following pages, we used almost the same layout to make the entire website look more cohesive.

For the Contact Us page, we used the same layout and but this time round, instead of placing the information beside the pictures, we decided that it would much more aesthetically pleasing if the information are placed below the pictures instead. This is in accordance to the eye movements of a user as well where the eyes would naturally move downwards when they see the pictures. We also did not use the use of CAPs to type the information because we thought it seemed difficult to read the text. The use of an opaque grey box behind the text places focus on the information and also coincides with our black/white/grey theme of the website.
For the Audio and video pages, we used the same slider concept to make it more cohesive and not confuse users by constantly changing the interaction interface. The information are clearly placed in the sliders. The Audio Digitizing title at the top left corner of the page balances the webpage better with all the content at the bottom. The information and image heavy bottom is balanced with the title and splatter at the top. We also made the graphics more consistent with the content of the page. For example with the audio digitizing pages, we used the standard sound waves at the bottom and for the video pages we used the film strip. The use of blue and orange also coincides with the standard NUS color.





For the equipments for loans page, we used another interactive transcript that allows users to view the images of the equipments available. The original site lacked this ability to view images and information on the same page. The page layout is also done and placed this way to balance the page too.

Last but not least, the fonts used are san serif fonts this increase readability on the web for the user.

In conclusion, we are very happy with the new website and if there are more time and knowledge on using CSS and also lesser restrictions such as the inability to remove the menu bar on top, then we would be able to do more and make the website more interesting.