Links for Blogs Due 12/13/15

http://blog.animationmentor.com/lessons-i-learned-as-a-traditional-2d-animator-thumbnails-and-planning/

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/12/you-may-never-be-as-good-filmmaking-you-want-be-thats-ok
(watch both videos)

Villa film program update

Villa sent me this link with some further info about their new film program, in case any of you are interested: http://www.villa.edu/academics/academic-programs/digital-filmmaking/

Links for Blogs Due 12/6/15

http://www.raindance.org/5-ways-mythic-structure-will-help-your-writing/

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/09/keys-to-creating-complex-transitions

Free music for your films - one song per week

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/11/download-new-royalty-free-song-films-neumann-films

Adobe Student Deal until Black Friday!

http://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/buy/students.html

Thanks, Matt!

Links for Blogs Due 11/22/15

https://www.fxguide.com/featured/the-tech-of-the-art-of-the-peanuts-movie/

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/11/how-record-great-sounding-natural-ambient-audio-in-camera

Audio PSA Contest Opportunity - open to both classes

http://www.nysatsb.org/contests.htm#saveyourfriend

2016 Save Your Friend’s Life Over the Airwaves Contest

Create a 30 second audio public service announcement (PSA) on any of the 5 topics listed below…
~ Driving Distractions
~ Drowsy Driving
~ Impaired Driving (Alcohol /Other Drugs)
~ Safety Belt Use (Front & Back)
~ Speeding

Cash prizes and recognition will be given to the winners.
Winning entries will be aired on radio stations to promote teen driving safety throughout New York State.
For more information and entry forms: www.nysatsb.org
Or email: trafficsafety@aaahv.com
All entries must be received by March 11, 2016

Links for Blogs Due 11/8/15

http://filmmakeriq.com/2015/10/the-cinematic-history-of-fake-blood/

http://www.toonzone.net/2015/11/going-inside-inside-out-with-pixar-producer-jonas-rivera/

Links for Blogs Due 11/1/15

http://blog.animationmentor.com/ilm-animator-erik-morgansen-on-what-type-of-animator-should-i-be/

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/09/9-composition-techniques-make-images-eye-catching-biological-level

Links for Blogs Due 10/25/15

http://www.fxguide.com/quicktakes/behind-marvels-marvelous-trailer-titles/

http://www.fastcompany.com/3051713/hit-the-ground-running/8-habits-of-people-who-always-have-great-ideas

Video Class - Script Formatting Resources

https://www.writersstore.com/how-to-write-a-screenplay-a-guide-to-scriptwriting/

http://www.simplyscripts.com/WR_format.html

http://www.storysense.com/format.htm

Video Class - PSA contest 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

Animation Class - Walk Cycle Resources

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

  • 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://thinkinganimation.com/great-walk-cycle-reference-endless-reference-2/

Links for Blogs Due 10/18/15

http://www.awn.com/news/disney-research-app-turns-2d-drawings-3d-characters

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/10/5-ways-you-can-use-film-scores-make-your-films-more-dynamic
(FYI, you do not need to watch the entire 15 minutes of poor quality death scenes in the Friday the 13th video. I'm sure you get the idea... The most important video for this article is the first one, "How Film Scores Play with Our Brains", so make sure you at least watch all of that one.)

Video Class: Resources for Creating Sound Effects

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

VICEO class Links for Blogs Due 10/4/15

http://www.indiewire.com/article/how-virtual-reality-could-change-the-way-we-watch-movies-20150202

http://filmmakeriq.com/2015/09/why-do-action-scenes-suck/

ANIMATION class Blog Assignment Due 10/4/15

This week, instead of your usual two posts about articles or videos, you have a special assignment based on the screening and related assignment we did this past Friday. For this post (which will count as TWO this week), identify and discuss at least SIX principles of animation that you observed in Wall-E. You should be detailed in your description and analysis.

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

EXTRA CREDIT:
If you want to earn up to 10 bonus points this week, feel free to do an extra post commenting on this cut of Pixar examples illustrating the importance of color in storytelling: http://nofilmschool.com/2014/09/pixar-supercut-will-remind-you-how-important-color-storytelling

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 using words such as “public domain”,  “copyright free” “creative commons” and “images”, “video”, “music”, etc. to find others, or use the usage rights menu in the search tools. 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.

Make sure that any images you use from the Internet are high enough resolution for the intended use!

Images
http://www.flickr.com/search (use drop down menu on the left to search by license type)
http://www.morguefile.com
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.jamendo.com/en/
http://freemusicarchive.org
http://www.mobygratis.com/film-music.html
http://www.freeplaymusic.com (registration required - please note that if your project will be broadcast in any way or entered in a contest/festival, the music is NOT free)
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://mitchmartinez.com/free-4k-red-epic-stock-footage/
http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/download-free-stock-video-intros/
http://footagecrate.com
http://creatingfilm.com/free-stock-footage/
http://www.stockfootageforfree.com (registration required)
http://www.archive.org/details/stock_footage

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

Links for Blogs Due 9//27/15

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/08/6-ways-you-can-use-simple-props-make-your-films-more-interesting
(Make sure you read the text AND watch the video)

Chuck Jones - The Evolution of an Artist

Links for Blogs Due 9/20/15

Below are your first blog links of the year. I know you're excited, but before you post, 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 (which also must include a link to something you find), and two additional posts, responding to the links I have given you. You also must comment on others' blogs to receive full credit. If you do not follow the supplied guidelines, you will lose points. Blogs are a major theory grade, so they will come back to haunt you if you blow them off.

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 field of media production.

And now, the moment you have been waiting for, your links for this week:

http://blog.animationmentor.com/6-steps-to-beat-procrastination/

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/08/5-psychological-mistakes-beginning-filmmakers-make-and-how-avoid-them

Final Blog Post (Class Evaluation) Due 5/31/15

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 whether 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:

Links for Blogs Due 5/17/15

Sorry these are a little late this week! See you all on Monday...

http://blog.animationmentor.com/6-animation-demo-reel-dos-and-donts/

(Be sure to watch the demo reel examples, as well.)

http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/watch-from-tarantino-to-cronenberg-great-directors-talk-the-art-and-anxiety-of-filmmaking-20150420

(This one is mostly video content, so make sure to watch and comment on the entire video.)

Links for Blogs Due 5/10/15

http://blog.animationmentor.com/game-of-thrones-raising-a-dragon-with-pixomondo/

http://filmmakeriq.com/2015/05/the-science-of-the-avengers/

Links for Blogs Due 5/3/15

Animation-heavy this week, so a future post may be video-heavy, FYI.

http://blogs.indiewire.com/animationscoop/disposable-animation-more-prevalent-than-ever-20150424

http://www.indiewire.com/article/how-3d-printing-has-revolutionized-stop-motion-animation-for-laika-20150427?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+indieWIREFilmmakerToolkit+%28Filmmaker+Toolkit%29

eSD STEM + Art Contest

Current high school and middle school students are eligible to participate and the theme of the inaugural contest is STEM+Art.  Entries can either be a scanned drawing or photograph and should reflect how art is incorporated into science, technology, engineering or mathematics.  Submissions will be accepted in digital format from April 15th , 2015 until June 5th, 2015.  Images must be in JPEG format, with a minimum DPI of 72 and a minimum size of 1920 x 1080 (width x height) pixels.

All submissions must have the entry forms below completed in order to be considered.

The prize amounts are as follows:
First Place = $500
Second Place = $200
Third Place = $100
Honorable Mention (4) = $50/each
 
Please refer all questions regarding the contest to: contest@eschooldata.com
Submissions should be sent to: eschooldart@e1b.org

Submission forms

Video Class: Donnie Darko Analysis

http://www.donniedarko.org.uk/explanation/ 
http://www.donniedarko.org.uk/alternative-explantions/ 
http://www.themoviegoer.com/donnie_darko.htm 

Many more available if you search for them...

Links for Blogs Due 4/19/15

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/tech/adobe-character-animator-lets-you-animate-with-your-face-111638.html

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/04/15-tips-becoming-better-director

Links for Blogs Due 4/12/15

http://willfinn.blogspot.com/2015/04/why-you-shouldnt-want-job-in-animation.html?m=1

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/02/how-films-control-your-mind (video)

Links for Blogs Due 3/22/15

http://www.awn.com/blog/go-your-strength

http://www.wired.com/2015/03/drone-filmmaking/

$25,000 Animation Scholarship from Nickelodeon

That's right, $25,000. Do it.

https://getschooled.com/dashboard/tool/1342-25-000-animation-scholarship

Links for Blogs Due 3/15/15

http://blog.animationmentor.com/animation-as-visual-music/

http://www.izzyvideo.com/daily-video/

Links for Blogs Due 3/8/15

http://www.fxguide.com/featured/the-secrets-behind-spongebobs-live-action-scene

http://nofilmschool.com/2014/10/learn-basics-bouncing-light-these-helpful-tips

Links for Blogs Due 3/1/15

http://blog.animationmentor.com/top-3-reasons-you-want-creature-animation-on-your-demo-reel/

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/02/what-good-bad-editing-according-3-oscar-winning-editors
(Most of the content here is in the video - so make sure you watch and respond to that. as well.)

Animation Class: This could be extra credit, you can also win money!

They Might Be Giants Erase Video Contest

http://www.theymightbegiants.com/news/announcing-the-erase-video-contest/

They Might Be Giants’ Dial-A-Song project is sponsoring its first video contest for the song “ERASE.” To help raise awareness of this great song they are inviting all video people, film people and generally visually-minded people who are open to the challenge to create a music video for ‘Erase’. Originality a must. Brilliance encouraged. All judging will be done by the great Judge Black Francis of the Pixies. Song and lyrics here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apHV1CaQWOE

Length: 2:49 Prize: $1000 Deadline: 4/7/15

Video Class: Contest Links

Choice 1: The National Ocean Sciences Bowl “Living on the Ocean Planet” Video Contest

http://nosb.org/compete/nosb-video-contest/

Submit a video on this year’s contest theme “The Science of Oil in the Ocean.”.

Length: 1-3 minutes Prize: Kodak Playsport video camera, plus others Deadline: 3/20/15

Choice 2: TeenDrive365 Video Challenge

http://www.teendrive365inschool.com/teens/video-challenge

Create an original video between 60 and 90 seconds in length, which demonstrates the importance of safer teen driving. Note: All entrants are required to include, as the last slide of the video, the TeenDrive365 Video Challenge call to action slide.

Length: 60-90 seconds Prize: $15,000, plus other prizes Deadline: 3/16/15

Choice 3: They Might Be Giants Erase Video Contest

http://www.theymightbegiants.com/news/announcing-the-erase-video-contest/

They Might Be Giants’ Dial-A-Song project is sponsoring its first video contest for the song “ERASE.” To help raise awareness of this great song they are inviting all video people, film people and generally visually-minded people who are open to the challenge to create a music video for ‘Erase’. Originality a must. Brilliance encouraged. All judging will be done by the great Judge Black Francis of the Pixies. Song and lyrics here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apHV1CaQWOE

Length: 2:49 Prize: $1000 Deadline: 4/7/15

Choice 4: Math-O-Vision Movie Contest

http://math-o-vision.com/rules-calendar/

Tell an original story inspired by mathematics.

Length: 4 minutes or less Prize: $3000, plus other prizes Deadline: 4/1/15

Choice 5: NAOSH Student Safety Awareness Video Contest

http://www.asse.org/newsroom/naosh/naosh-video-contest/

Promote the importance of workplace safety and the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) profession.

Length: 2 minutes or less Prize: $1000, plus other prizes Deadline: 3/15/15

Video Scholarship Contest

This contest is too short to be used as a project, but in case you are interested in winning $1500:

https://www.defensivedriving.com/scholarship/

Links for Blogs Due 2/8/15

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/01/3-isnt-crowd-make-it-look-like-it-is-cinematography-tricks

http://www.fastcocreate.com/3041627/super-bowl-xlix/maleficent-director-robert-stromberg-conjures-a-mercedes-fable-for-super-bow
(Thanks, Jack)

Video Class: Fictional Short Resources

Sites for public domain stories:
http://www.literaturepage.com/category/stories.html
http://www.authorama.com/
http://www.readprint.com/
http://www.gutenberg.org/
http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/archives.html
http://www.world-english.org/stories.htm

Script reference:

http://www.writersstore.com/how-to-write-a-screenplay-a-guide-to-scriptwriting/

Animation Class: Reflection Tutorial

This is one way to create a reflective material, but there are many techniques you can use. Feel free to search for other methods.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo_FgWB_TmI

Links for Blogs Due 1/25/15

Make sure to watch the videos in their entirety and make your responses detailed and thorough.

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/01/michael-bay-breaks-down-hows-whys-behind-his-action-sequences

http://www.fxguide.com/featured/bringing-the-battle-of-the-five-armies-to-the-screen/

Animation Class: Maya Learning Channel

BTW, this is a good channel for Maya tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/user/MayaHowTos

Video Class: Explosions References

Examples:
http://www.funnyordie.com/articles/b06153cff7/best-of-unnecessary-explosions-michael-bay-gifs-meme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5KQQWlIgGc (Up)

Tutorials:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrLcitb_7Zw (blow up Eli - long and somewhat meandering, but basic)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL1KkAfwflk (5 min, exploding box, use of masks, duplicates, shatter. Goes quickly, so might be hard to follow, but good ideas.)
http://www.surfacedstudio.com/tutorials/explosions-in-adobe-after-effects (A bit more advanced, with multiple masks and footage layers, but good for original film explosions.)

Free footage:
https://www.youtube.com/user/blinkfarm
http://footagecrate.com/fire.html (low res, only 2 anonymous downloads per day)
http://creatingfilm.com/free-stock-footage/ (low res, but all free)

For other effects:
http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/
http://designrfix.com/resources/effects-cs6-tutorials-40-top-notch-visual-effects-tips

Links for Blogs Due 1/11/15

http://nofilmschool.com/2014/12/cinematography-tutorial-how-why-make-your-characters-look-larger-or-smaller-frame

http://nofilmschool.com/2014/12/disney-develops-technique-rendering-realistic-cgi-eyes

Video Class: Follow Up Info on Blackfish

http://nofilmschool.com/2014/12/proof-movies-change-world-seaworld-blackfish