Psst, Video Students, links to check out for upcoming projects

The following contests will be used for project assignments in January and February, so you may want to take a look and see which ones appeal to you to begin planning your ideas...  Specific project specs will be discussed at a future date.

PSA Project
Courageous Persuaders: http://www.courageouspersuaders.com/contest.htm
Project Yellow Light: http://www.projectyellowlight.com/
World of 7 Billion Video Contest: http://www.worldof7billion.org/student_video_contest

Class Competition Project

CareerSafe® Youth Safety Video Contest: http://www.careersafeonline.com/index.php/national-youth-safety-video-contest

Engineering For You Video Contest: http://www.nae.edu/e4u2/

ASMF “Sleep Story” High School Video Contest: http://www.discoversleep.org/schoolessaycontest.aspx

The Great American NO BULL Challenge: http://www.nobullchallenge.org

Links for Blogs Due 12/14/14

This one is dedicated to Denzel Flowers. ;-)
http://nofilmschool.com/2014/12/sfx-vfx-two-effects-artists-discuss-differences-between-practical-cgi

http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/features/adventure-time-the-trippiest-show-on-television-20141002

Hey Seniors, guess who was interviewed on the radio?

That's right, your friend and former classmate, Joel!

http://news.wbfo.org/post/daemen-college-opens-center-excellence-animation

Links for Blogs Due 12/7/14

http://nofilmschool.com/2014/12/5-techniques-create-depth-make-cinematography-more-dynamic

http://blog.animationmentor.com/why-animation-continues-to-thrive-as-an-art-form-and-an-industry/

Animation Contest!

Win $1000 for 10 seconds of animation. Do it!
http://www.animationcareerreview.com/contest

Links for Blogs Due 11/23/14

http://blog.animationmentor.com/how-to-create-character-animation-poses/

http://filmmakeriq.com/2014/11/introduction-to-foley-and-sound-effects-for-film-a-filmmakeriq-lesson/
(You only need to watch the first video on this page (Introduction to Foley and Sound Effects for Film.)

Links for Blogs Due 11/16/14 - Super Science-y Edition

These are not due for awhile, but I thought I'd give you an early start. Make sure you are adhering to the NEW blog specs which I emailed to you last week...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/black-holes-space-travel-and-the-science-of-the-movie-interstellar/2014/11/03/0461b660-606a-11e4-8b9e-2ccdac31a031_story.html
(MAKE SURE YOU ALSO WATCH AND INCLUDE INFO IN YOUR RESPONSE ABOUT THE VIDEO IN THE MIDDLE ON BUILDING THE BLACK HOLE)

http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/gadgets/big-hero-6-science-behind-baymax-disneys-big-soft-robot-n240241

Links for Blogs Due 11/2/14

MAKE SURE YOU CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR THE NEW BLOG GRADING BREAKDOWN, WHICH TAKES EFFECT THIS WEEK. YOU ARE NOW REQUIRED TO COMMENT ON AT LEAST TWO OTHER BLOGS... OK, I will stop yelling now.

http://filmmakeriq.com/lessons/the-psychology-of-scary-movies/
(For this one, the text and the video pretty much cover the same content, so you can either read or watch or both - your choice.)

http://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/10-tips-for-creating-storyboards-from-dreamworks/

Links for Blogs Due 10/26/14

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/great-reads/la-et-c1-dreamworks-scientists-20140723-story.html#page=1

http://nofilmschool.com/2014/10/-lesson-from-lecter-how-to-establish-dominance-using-eyelines-framing

Links for Blogs Due 10/19/14

http://blog.animationmentor.com/10-insights-from-a-game-of-thrones-and-guardians-of-the-galaxy-creature-animator/

http://nofilmschool.com/2014/10/7-great-techniques-hiding-lav-microphones

Animation: Flour Sack Examples

Many of these are longer than your requirement (which is under 10 seconds), but they will give you a good idea of different expressions and movements that can be achieved with the flour sack.

http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/627739
http://connectedconcepts.net/tgr0041.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx9tQLhEuiE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGPtMvIsjMY

Here is also a bit of history behind the flour sack exercise:
http://tallgrassradiostudios.blogspot.com/2005/05/that-poor-misunderstood-sack-of-flour.html

Animation: Walk Cycle References

Very basic breakdown of the 8 frame walk cycle, intended for Flash but easily adaptable to AnimatePro:

http://animation.about.com/od/flashanimationtutorials/ss/flash29walkcycl.htm

Good overall reference, a bit more complex:

http://www.angryanimator.com/word/2008/11/01/animation-tutorial-2-walk-cycle/

This is a great page with examples and tips on creating walk cycles:

http://minyos.its.rmit.edu.au/aim/a_notes/04_walkcycle_project.html#

Videos showing real people walking in different ways, front and side views: 

http://thinkinganimationbook.blogspot.com/2012/12/great-walk-cycle-reference-endless.html

Update: 
Here is another one Jack found: http://zeurel.deviantart.com/art/Flash-Tutorial-1-Walk-Cycles-252730782

If anyone finds others, feel free to put the links in the comments...

Video Class: Sound Effects Resources

http://www.epicsound.com/sfx/index.php
http://www.audiotheater.com/SFXhowto.html
http://www.RuyaSonic.com/sfx_closet.htm
http://www.RuyaSonic.com/sfx_catalog.htm
http://www.marblehead.net/foley/index.html

Links for Blogs Due 10/5/14

http://www.wired.com/2014/08/how-movies-manipulate-your-brain/

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/225357/Tips_for_game_artists_from_Rockstars_former_art_director.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GamasutraNews+%28Gamasutra+News%29

VIDEO class Blog Assignment Due 9/28/14

First Post:
http://www.wired.com/2014/09/travis-knight-stop-motion-boxtrolls/#slide-id-1411751

Second Post should discuss BOTH of these related short links:
http://nofilmschool.com/2014/09/colorist-really-films-video-takes-look
http://nofilmschool.com/2014/09/pixar-supercut-will-remind-you-how-important-color-storytelling

Then the usual Weekly Comments post...

ANIMATION class Blog Assignment Due 9/28/14

First post will be as usual, based on this article:
http://www.wired.com/2014/09/travis-knight-stop-motion-boxtrolls/#slide-id-1411751

Second post is a special assignment based on the screening and related assignment we did Friday. For this post, identify and discuss at least SIX principles of animation that you observed in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. You should be detailed in your descriptions.

Don't forget to also complete the Weekly Comment post, as usual.

Also, here is the Pixar color edit I discussed in class, for your viewing pleasure. No post needed on this one: http://nofilmschool.com/2014/09/pixar-supercut-will-remind-you-how-important-color-storytelling

Video Class - Photoshop Tutorial Links

These may help with the Worth1000 project...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GW7WXJAuPM (good Crossbreed tutorial using layer masks)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycSSIZ_azF8 (Plantimal tutorial, also using layer masks, easy to follow)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H289d3sjqoQ (very basic Plantimal tutorial)

http://fx.worth1000.com/tutorials/161408/how-i-created-raspberry-frog

http://fx.worth1000.com/tutorials/160998/how-to-do-spider-doo

http://fx.worth1000.com/tutorials/161012/the-making-of-the-springfield-frog

Links for Blogs Due 9/21/14

http://www.rotoscopers.com/2014/09/01/disney-veterans-gather-to-save-2d-animation-from-extinction-with-hullabaloo/

http://blog.nfb.ca/blog/2014/09/09/michael-moore-manifesto/

Copyright-Free Media Sources

The following are a few sites which list public domain, copyright-free, or Creative Commons media sources. You can also do a Google search with the advanced options that will allow you to find Creative Commons images. The presence of a resource on any of these lists does not guarantee that all or any of the media in it are copyright-free. You are still responsible for checking the copyright status of media, and citing the source, where appropriate.

NOTE: Many images from the Internet are NOT appropriate for print use, as they are low resolution. Make sure that any images you use from the Internet are high enough resolution (again, use advanced search in Google to specify a size) for the intended use AND are not copyright protected!

Images
http://www.flickr.com/search/advanced (check at the bottom to search for Creative Commons-licensed content)
http://www.morguefile.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Public_domain_image_resources
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/index.html
http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/about.shtml
http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/

Audio
http://dig.ccmixter.org
http://incompetech.com
http://www.artistserver.com
http://www.jamendo.com/en/
http://freemusicarchive.org
http://www.mobygratis.com/film-music.html
http://www.freeplaymusic.com (please note that you CANNOT use freeplaymusic if your project will be broadcast in any way or entered in a contest/festival)
http://www.therecordist.com/free-sfx (sound effects)
http://www.findsounds.com (sound effects)
http://www.freesound.org (sound effects)
http://www.freesfx.co.uk (sound effects)
http://www.grsites.com/archive/sounds/ (sound effects)

Video
http://vimeo.com/groups/freehd
http://www.stockfootageforfree.com (registration necessary)
http://www.archive.org/details/movies
http://www.archive.org/details/stock_footage

Multiple Media Types
http://search.creativecommons.org/ (check each file for CC info)
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page (check each file for copyright info)
http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic98.htm
http://www.freemediaguide.com/index.html

Links for Blogs Due 9/14/14

Below are your first blog links of the year - woooo! Please make sure to review the Blog spec sheet I handed out in class so that you know exactly what should be included in your posts. Remember, you need a total of three separate posts each week: one weekly comments post (whichalso includes a link to something you find), and two additional posts, responding to the links I post.

Since both classes are completing blogs every week, I will generally try to have one post that relates more to animation and one that relates more to video. However, sometimes they will lean more one way than the other, depending on the resources I find that week. In any case, both links will be relevant to the overall scope of Digital Media.

Without further ado, your links for this week:

http://time.com/2896528/cinematography-the-order-1886/

http://blog.animationmentor.com/6-tips-from-recruiters-who-look-at-your-animation-demo-reel/

Final Blog Post (Class Evaluation) Due 6/1/14

Please respond to the following questions (cut and paste into your post, then answer below each one). Please be honest. The grade will be based on thoughtful completion of the questions, NOT if the content is negative or positive. :-) If you prefer to keep your evaluation private, feel free email it to me instead.

1. Why did you take this class?

2. In general, what did you like most about this class?

3. In general, what did you like least about this class?

4. What was your most favorite project and why?

5. What was your least favorite project and why?

6. Discuss the overall effectiveness of the instructor (for example: preparation, availability, interest, content knowledge, expectations, etc.).

7. What are the most valuable things you learned in the class?

8. Do you feel that this class will help you achieve your future academic or career goals? How or why (or why not)?

9. How could this class be improved?

10. Additional comments:

Portfolio Examples

Here are links to some of the portfolios we looked at in class, so you can get some ideas on how they can be organized and what should be included. Don't COPY them, but, rather, use them for inspiration and guidance. I want to see your own creativity and style come through with this project!

http://hollymnorris.wix.com/hollymnorris#!

http://alexjleo789.wix.com/alexleoportfolio#!

http://willsattelberg.wix.com/portfolio#!

http://akrull15.wix.com/myportfolio#!

http://enyatpatterson.wix.com/portfolio#!

Links for Articles Due 5/18/14

http://www.hitfix.com/motion-captured/has-life-in-the-age-of-casual-magic-made-moviegoers-numb-to-the-amazing/single-page

http://www.scriptmag.com/features/script-tip-pets-in-movies-how-can-a-pet-cat-or-dog-improve-your-characters-and-plot

Links for Articles Due 5/11/14

http://mashable.com/2014/04/29/youtube-cartoons-future/

http://gamasutra.com/blogs/SebastianAlvarado/20140502/216889/Anatomy_in_games_An_evolution_of_realism.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GamasutraNews+%28Gamasutra+News%29

Links for Articles Due 5/4/14

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/cgi/pixar-makes-painterly-cg-new-research-could-change-the-look-of-their-films-95205.html

http://www.raindance.org/1short-film-cliches/

Links for Blogs Due 4/6/14

http://www.creativebloq.com/animation/animate-pixar-pro-9134381

http://nofilmschool.com/2014/03/unorthodox-diy-film-studio-ideas-ridiculously-cheap-easy/
(the content is mostly in the video for this one...)

How to Get Permission to Use Copyrighted Music (*cough* Kevin *cough*)

http://www.copyrightkids.org/permissioninformation.htm

Video Independent Study Links

Choice 1: Natural High Contest
http://naturalhigh.org/natural-high-2014-national-psa-vido-contest/
Submit a video about your Natural High and how it’s inspired you to say no to drugs and alcohol. A natural high is an activity, art form or hobby that makes you feel good inside and out.
Length: 3-5 minutes (Individual Project)
Prize: $250, plus other prizes and a chance to win a trip to San Diego
Contest Deadline: 5/8/14

Choice 2: Math-O-Vision Movie Contest
http://www.facebook.com/mathovision?v=app_524327117577295
Create a video or animation inspired by mathematics.
Length: 4 minutes or less (For class, must be at least 2 minutes for individual projects, just under 4 minutes if working with a partner.)
Prize: $4000, plus other prizes
Contest Deadline: 5/1/14

Choice 3: Hey U.G.L.Y. Video Contest
http://www.heyugly.org/Contest%20Video.php
Most of us have witnessed someone being bullied but we don’t do anything anything to help. In fact statistics show that 75% of those involved in bullying situations are bystanders who either urge the bully on or do nothing. Create a video showing why bystanders could be the key to stopping bullying.
Length: unspecified. (For class, must be at least 2 minutes for individual projects, 4 minutes if working with a partner.)
Prize: $250
Contest Deadline: 5/31/14

Links for Articles Due 3/30/14

http://filmschoolrejects.com/features/6-filmmaking-tips-from-hayao-miyazaki.php

http://nofilmschool.com/2014/03/do-human-eyes-see-like-cameras-resolution-frame-rate-of-vision/
(The bulk of the information for this article is in the videos, so make sure you watch and comment about both of those.)

Animation Contest Links

Choice 4: Math-O-Vision Movie Contest
http://www.facebook.com/mathovision?v=app_524327117577295
Using the technique(s) of your choice, create an animation inspired by mathematics. Make sure you follow site rules!
Length: 4 minutes or less
Prize: $4000, plus other prizes
Contest Deadline: 5/1/14 (Class deadline is 4/11/14, no lates)

Choice 5: The Great American NO BULL Challenge
http://www.nobullchallenge.org
Create a short animation that speaks to the importance of being an upstander, creating positive school culture, and ending cyber and all other forms of bullying. See me for info on the site and forms if you choose this project.
Length: PSA: 30-60 seconds, Short Film: 2-5 minutes
Prize: MANY. See site for details.
Contest Deadline: 4/30/14 (Class deadline is 4/11/14, no lates)

Links for Articles Due 3/16/14

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/04/creativity-habits_n_4859769.html

http://nofilmschool.com/2014/03/a-cheap-easy-way-to-create-a-professional-looking-infinite-black-backdrop/

Links for Articles Due 3/9/14

http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2014/02/minecraft-the-sims-and-the-fut.html

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/award-season-focus/definitive-proof-that-academy-voters-are-ignorant-about-animation-96680.html

NCCC Video Festival

http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/ncccvideofestival/

FYI, there is a category for Animation. :-)

Links for Articles Due 3/2/14

http://blog.animationmentor.com/11-lighting-tips-from-the-lego-movie/ (Yes, another Lego post. Deal.)

http://www.dga.org/Craft/DGAQ/All-Articles/1202-Spring-2012/Funny-Business-David-Dobkin.aspx

Extra Credit:
+10 for your thoughts on this new character generator from Autodesk (creator of Maya). Is it useful for beginning animators? Is it cheating?
http://www.awn.com/news/autodesk-rolls-out-cloud-based-3d-character-generator

From now on, you may choose to do a video response for ONE of the two articles each week, if desired. You should post it on your blog, and you must still follow the usual specs for blog responses. The other article and your weekly comments must continue to be typed. This is not required, so if you would rather do the blogs as usual, carry on.

Links for Articles Due 2/16/14

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/09/movies/lego-movie-creators-strive-to-blend-familiar-and-strange.html?ref=movies&_r=0

http://www.showmetheanimation.com/index.php/hook-audience-crucial-first-seconds/

Video Contest Project Links

Choice 1: The National Ocean Sciences Bowl “Living on the Ocean Planet” Video Contest
http://www.nosb.org/competitions-2/nosb-video-contest/
Submit a video on this year’s contest theme “Ocean Acidification”.
Length: 1-3 minutes Prize: Kodak Playsport waterproof camera  
Deadline: 3/15/14

Choice 2: Kavli Science Video Contest
http://www.usasciencefestival.org/2014-festival/2014-contests/kavli-video-contest-2013-2014.html
Investigate how science is portrayed in TV, films, and games, then compare to what we can do today with current or emerging technologies. Or tell us what science needs to discover to make it really happen.
Length: 30-90 seconds Prize: $2000, plus other prizes  
Deadline: 3/21/14

Choice 3: Engineering for You (E4U) Video Contest
http://www.nae.edu/e4u/
Create a video showing engineering contributions that serve human welfare and the needs of society occurring anywhere during the time period from 1964 to 2064.
Length: 1 to 2 minutes Prize: $25,000, plus other prizes  
Deadline: 3/31/14

Choice 4: The Great American NO BULL Challenge
http://www.nobullchallenge.org/#!the-great-american-no-bull-challenge/c1wx0
Create a short film that speaks to the importance of being an upstander, creating positive school culture, and ending cyber and all other forms of bullying.
Length: 2-5 minutes Prize: MANY. See site for details.  
Deadline: 4/30/14

Choice 5: Math-O-Vision Movie Contest
http://www.facebook.com/mathovision?v=app_524327117577295
Create a video or animation inspired by mathematics.
Length: 4 minutes or less Prize: $4000, plus other prizes  
Deadline: 5/1/14

Links for Articles Due 2/9/14

http://www.raindance.org/think-filmmaking-is-just-for-extraverts-heres-5-things-introverts-bring-to-movies/

http://animatedviews.com/2014/sony-pictures-imageworks-pete-travers-talks-wonderfood-vfx-in-cloudy-2/

Maya Hotkeys for Animation Students

http://download.autodesk.com/global/docs/maya2014/en_us/index.html?url=files/PC_Maya_Hotkeys.htm,topicNumber=d30e782936

Links for Articles Due 1/26/14

(Animation students, this article is from Carlos Baena, the Pixar animator who did the Anibot model you will be working with for you class competition.)
http://www.carlosbaena.com/resource/resource_tips_planning.html

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-paramount-digital-20140117,1674529,7040663,full.story#axzz2r2rynbcW

Another Possibility for Video Classroom Competition

http://www.discoversleep.org/schoolessaycontest.aspx

If you do this, it should be 1.5-2 minutes long for class project purposes.

Animation Class Competition Links

• Watch the eight short project introduction videos featuring Pixar animator Carlos Baena at: http://curriculum.autodesk.com/student/public/Level3/overview/project_id/37/project_type/individual (Do this AT HOME to maximize class animation time!)

• When you have completed your storyboard, and are ready to begin animating, watch the Maya Technical Learning Videos in your Anibot Project folder (Again, I recommend putting these on a Flash drive at watching at HOME).

• If you need more assistance with Maya techniques, watch the Digital Study Packet videos: http://curriculum.autodesk.com/student/public/level1/digital

Video Class Competition Links

• CareerSafe® Youth Safety Video Contest: http://www.careersafeonline.com/index.php/national-youth-safety-video-contest

• Toyota Teen Driver Video Challenge: http://www.toyotateendriver.com/teens/video-challenge

• NASA’s REEL Science Communication Contest: http://aura.gsfc.nasa.gov/reelscience.html

• ASMF "Sleep Story" High School Video Contest: http://www.discoversleep.org/schoolessaycontest.aspx

Links for Articles Due 1/19/14

http://www.fxguide.com/featured/heads-above-the-vfx-of-sleepy-hollow/

http://www.raindance.org/how-to-turn-that-passion-for-scriptwriting-and-filmmaking-into-a-reality-fast/

Maya Tutorial Resources

http://download.autodesk.com/us/maya/Maya_2014_GettingStarted/index.html
(class tutorials based on these, also many others for fur, cloth, liquid, etc.)

http://www.youtube.com/mayahowtos
http://curriculum.autodesk.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/DigitalArtsGuild/videos
http://cg.tutsplus.com/tutorials/autodesk-maya/learning-autodesk-maya-a-beginners-introduction-to-the-software-part-1/
http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/100-maya-3d-tutorials-beginners-intermediate-advanced-users/
http://www.creativebloq.com/3d-tips/maya-tutorials-1232745

Links for Articles Due 1/12/14

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/award-season-focus/directors-chris-renaud-and-pierre-coffin-on-creative-choices-and-challenges-in-despicable-me-films-93702.html

http://nofilmschool.com/2014/01/digital-technology-changed-definition-cinematography/

Video PSA Links

Courageous Persuaders: http://www.courageouspersuaders.com/contest.htm
Project Yellow Light: http://www.projectyellowlight.com/
World of 7 Billion Video Contest: http://www.worldof7billion.org/student_video_contest