Blog Assignments Due 01/06/19

Animation: 
https://blog.animationmentor.com/timing-the-12-basic-principles-of-animation/

Film & VFX:
https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/effective-documentary-research-resources/
(Make sure you cover both the article and the video)

Blog Assignments Due 12/16/18

Animation:
https://blog.animationmentor.com/secondary-action-the-12-basic-principles-of-animation/

Film & VFX:
https://filmmakermagazine.com/103930-what-makes-a-great-interview-filmmakers-share-tips-on-securing-great-on-screen-dialogues/#.XAq-pBJKjUL

Film & VFX: Explosions Resources

Explosions Tutorials:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrLcitb_7Zw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL1KkAfwflk
https://www.macprovideo.com/hub/after-effects/creating-realistic-explosions-in-after-effects
http://www.surfacedstudio.com/tutorials/explosions-in-adobe-after-effects

Various After Effects Tutorials:
https://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/

Free Footage:
https://www.youtube.com/user/blinkfarm
http://footagecrate.com/free-video-effects-categories.html (must register, free account is only 5 downloads per day)
http://www.detonationfilms.com/free_stuff.htm
http://www.detonationfilms.com/free_stuff_page_2.htm

Scholarship Finder Sites

Here are some sites Mrs. Quinn suggested for those of you looking for scholarships:

https://www.cappex.com/
https://www.unigo.com/
https://www.fastweb.com/
https://myscholly.com/ ($2.99/month)

This site also enables you to chat directly with college admissions counselors from participating colleges: https://www.collegeweeklive.com/

Blog Assignments Due 12/02/18

Animation:
https://blog.animationmentor.com/slow-in-and-slow-out-the-12-basic-principles-of-animation/

Film & VFX:
https://www.videomaker.com/article/f16/14803-how-to-make-a-documentary-part-1-story-development

Blog Assignments Due 11/18/18

Animation:
https://blog.animationmentor.com/facial-animation-101/

Film & VFX:
https://nofilmschool.com/2017/10/watch-why-our-brains-dont-explode-film-cuts

Class Website!

http://jlicata.wixsite.com/animationfilm

Mouth Charts for Animation

From Toon Boom:

Prestons Blair’s (you also have pdfs of his animation books in your Documents folder): http://minyos.its.rmit.edu.au/~rpyjp/a_notes/mouth_shapes_01.html

For simpler characters: http://minyos.its.rmit.edu.au/~rpyjp/a_notes/mouth_shapes_02.html

Blog Assignments Due 11/04/18

Animation: 
https://blog.animationmentor.com/follow-through-and-overlapping-action-the-12-basic-principles-of-animation/

Film & VFX:
https://nofilmschool.com/2016/04/6-dirt-cheap-diy-ways-stabilize-your-camera
(make sure you watch and discuss BOTH videos)

Animation: Walk Cycle References

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/

Blog Assignments Due 10/21/18

Animation:
http://blog.animationmentor.com/anticipation-the-12-basic-principles-of-animation/

Film & VFX:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-s81-Wl2v0

Animation: Wave Reference

Thanks to Annabelle for passing along this helpful reference for the wave animation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLPqW3g9yPs

Film & VFX: PSA Project Links and Scriptwriting Resources

PSA Project:
Courageous Persuaders: http://courageouspersuaders.com/the-competition/

Project Yellow Light: http://www.projectyellowlight.com/

World of 7 Billion Video Contest: http://www.worldof7billion.org/student_video_contest

Scriptwriting Resources:
Formatting:
https://www.writersstore.com/how-to-write-a-screenplay-a-guide-to-scriptwriting/
http://www.trilane.com/ref/index.html
http://www.storysense.com/format.htm

Free Scriptwriting Tools:
https://storywriter.amazon.com
https://writerduet.com/
https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/free-screenwriting-software/

Sample Scripts:
http://www.dailyscript.com/

Blog Assignments Due 10/14/18

Animation:
http://blog.animationmentor.com/squash-and-stretch-the-12-basic-principles-of-animation/

Film & VFX:
https://www.indiewire.com/2015/10/the-10-most-common-reasons-why-scripts-are-rejected-56725/

Blog Assignments Due 09/30/18

Animation:
This week, instead of your usual post about an article or video, you have a special assignment based on the screening and related assignment we did this past Friday. For this post, 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 Comments post, as usual, along with commenting on others blogs.

Animation Extra Credit:
If you want to earn up to 10 bonus points this week, feel free to do an extra post commenting (a couple paragraphs is fine for this one) 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


Film & VFX:
https://nofilmschool.com/2018/09/5-common-mistakes-new-filmmakers-and-how-avoid-making-them

Film & VFX Class: Sound Effects Resources for Sound Story

https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/soundeffects
http://creativesounddesign.com/the-recordist-free-sound-effects/
http://www.freesfx.co.uk
http://www.findsounds.com
http://www.freesound.org
http://www.grsites.com/archive/sounds/

Blog Assignments Due 09/23/18

Welcome (or welcome back) to your blog assignments! If you are new, make sure you have the blog handout with you the first few times so that you complete ALL parts of the assignment for full credit. The commenting portion (5 points) is always due 24 hours after the blog due dates, so don't forget to do that part, also.

Animation:
https://www.ted.com/talks/manoush_zomorodi_how_boredom_can_lead_to_your_most_brilliant_ideas

Film & VFX:
https://nofilmschool.com/2017/01/need-give-your-shots-more-depth-change-your-camera-angle

Copyright-Friendly 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
https://images.google.com (type in a search term, then when you get results, click on “Tools”, and use the “Usage Rights” menu to select the desired license. Also use the Size menu to search for high res 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/imagegallery/index.html
http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/

Audio
https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/music
http://dig.ccmixter.org
http://www.bensound.com
http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/music.html
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)
https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/soundeffects (sound effects)
http://creativesounddesign.com/the-recordist-free-sound-effects/ (sound effects)
http://www.freesfx.co.uk (sound effects)
http://www.findsounds.com (sound effects)
http://www.freesound.org (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.archive.org/details/stock_footage
https://www.videvo.net/
http://www.stockfootageforfree.com (registration required)
http://footagecrate.com (daily download limit of 5 clips)
http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/download-free-stock-video-intros/

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

Please let me know if you find other good resources!

Final Blog Post (Class Evaluation) for BOTH Classes Due 6/3/18

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 to 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. What would you tell incoming students to help them be more prepared for the class?

11. Additional Comments:

Animation Final Project Reference Examples

References Post Examples 
http://ryantheplatt.blogspot.com/2015/06/looking-back-final-project-part-1.html?view=classic

http://geoffdigitalhole.blogspot.com/2015/05/final-project-references.html

http://joem333.blogspot.com/2015/05/references-for-final-project.html


Reflections and Analysis Post Examples 
http://ryantheplatt.blogspot.com/2015/06/looking-back-final-project-part-2.html?view=classic

http://joem333.blogspot.com/2015/05/final-project-reflection-and-analysis.html

http://geoffdigitalhole.blogspot.com/2015/05/final-project-reflection-and-analysis.html

Portfolio Examples

http://slogorslig.wix.com/ryan-platt
https://bbuckenroth.wixsite.com/portfolio
https://michellesprung57.wixsite.com/sprung
http://raydolson.wix.com/artist
http://kjmr52.wix.com/krystian-roman
http://surikitsuna.wix.com/myportfolio

Blog Assignments Due 5/13/18

Animation:
https://nofilmschool.com/2018/04/pixars-bao-domee-shi

Film & VFX:
https://nofilmschool.com/2017/11/watch-what-makes-perfect-movie-villain-its-not-what-you-think
(Make sure you discuss both the article AND the video which is linked within it (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=onOvedbXljU)

Film & VFX Class: 5Wits Blog Assignment Due 5/6/18

Analyze your experience from both a player’s and creator’s point of view. Each answer should be 1-2 paragraphs long.

1. From a player’s point of view, discuss what you liked about the 5Wits experience.

2. From a player’s point of view, discuss what you disliked about the 5Wits experience.

3. Who do you think is the target audience for this experience? Were the games well-deigned for that audience? Did they do a good job adjusting for different age levels and abilities?

4. Using specific examples, discuss how video, audio and animation was used to enhance the experience in each room:
a. Tomb
b. Drago's Castle
c. Deep Space

5. From a media creator’s point of view, give some suggestions for how the experience could be improved. What you might you do differently if you were to create your own interactive escape room?

(Don't forget to also complete weekly comments to get full credit for this week.)

Extra Credit Blog Assignment for Either Class Due 4/29/18

http://www.animatorisland.com/to-do-or-not-to-do-lists/#more-4051

Don't forget to also do weekly comments to get full credit!

Blog Assignment Due 4/22/18 (Animation Only)

Animation:
http://blog.animationmentor.com/what-is-a-reversal-in-animation/

Film & VFX:
(No blogs this week, you have a film analysis.)

Project Planning Tool

Here is a free project planning tool that may be helpful with production on final projects. You can also use Google Cal, but this presents the info in a different way (called a Gantt Chart, which is commonly used in the media and software production industries) and lets you add notes, icons, etc. to help you see the overall project timeline.

www.tomsplanner.com

Blog Assignment Due 4/15/18 (Animation Only)

Animation:
https://nofilmschool.com/2018/03/storyboarding-isle-of-dogs-wes-anderson

Film & VFX:
(No blogs this week, you have a film analysis.)

Extra Credit Blog Assignment Due 4/8/18

This one is extra credit for both classes:
https://nofilmschool.com/2018/03/5-creative-truths-real-life-yoda-frank-oz

Also do weekly comments to get full credit...

Film & VFX Class: VFX Tutorial links for Editing Exercise #3

After Effects Tutorials
Rain on Window: http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/realistic_rain_drop_fx/
Light Saber: http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/saber_plug-in/
Sci-Fi Weapon: http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/sci-fi_weapon_fx/
Destroyed City: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiXdcziloG8
Heat Vision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ3MxlAMV-Q
Shockwave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYbgjCR8PMI
Lightning Hands: http://www.surfacedstudio.com/tutorials/adobe-after-effects-lightning-tutorial
Running Through a Wall with Bonus Face Charring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ5WbMQBUoo
Invisible Man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyYSvsZYeNk
Harry Potter Spell Casting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7WowK_8H08
Harry Potter Apparate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfY408P_nvA
Ugly Monster Face: http://mamoworld.com/tutorials/create-ugly-monster-face-after-effects
Talking Chipmunk: http://mamoworld.com/tutorials/how-we-created-robin-talking-chipmunk
Spawning a Clone: https://library.creativecow.net/Gleissenberger_Tobias/spawn_a_clone_adobe_after_effects/1
Morphing One Object Into Another: http://www.surfacedstudio.com/tutorials/after-effects-advanced-morphing
Puppet Tool: https://library.creativecow.net/Gleissenberger_Tobias/adobe_after_effects_puppet_tool/1
Fire 1: https://cgi.tutsplus.com/tutorials/create-fairly-realistic-fire-using-cc-particle-world--ae-2087
Fire 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z9ti_dGgQE
Lightning 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxnXtYfy19s
Lightning 2: http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/lightning_strike/
True Detective Titles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrMlsTp4nQw

Blog Assignments Due 3/18/18

Animation:
http://blog.animationmentor.com/appeal-the-12-basic-principles-of-animation/

Film & VFX:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=tobsHNuZ7b0
I am most concerned with the first 9 minutes or so which talks about flying the drone. The rest is about gear, which is useful, but not super relevant unless you are buying your own drone.

Donnie Darko Theories for Film & VFX class

http://www.donniedarko.org.uk/explanation/
http://www.donniedarko.org.uk/alternative-explantions/
http://www.themoviegoer.com/donnie_darko.htm
http://metaphilm.com/index.php/detail/donnie-darko/

Many more available if you search for them...

Film & VFX: Independent Study Contest Links

Choice 1: Civic Life Youth Film Challenge (Individual)
https://www.youthfilmchallenge.com/
Create a documentary film about about a public issue you care about (ie. environmental issues, mental health issues, education, free speech, gun control, gender issues). The film should be an unbiased exploration of a national or local civic issue.
Length: 4-8 minutes Prize: $2000, $1500, $500 Deadline: 4/30/18

Choice 2: The Paradigm Challenge (Individual or Team)
http://www.projectparadigm.org
The Paradigm Challenge is an annual competition that inspires youth to use STEM skills plus kindness, creativity, and collaboration to make a difference. The 2017-18 Challenge aims to generate new ideas to improve personal health through wellness & healing. May be video or animation.
Length: unspecified Prize: up to $25,000 each Deadline: 5/1/18

Choice 3: Edmonton International Cat Festival Video Contest (Individual)
http://www.edmontoncatfest.com/cat-video-contest/
A winning video will be chosen in the following CAT-egories:
1. TV Show/Movie Parody - Cat burglar? Soap opera drama? Action scene?
2. Talent Show - Does your cat have a special talent?
If you choose this option, you need to make at least TWO films so your total project runtime is at least 2 minutes.
Length: 1 minute maximum per film Prize: Cat-themed prize packages Deadline: 5/6/18

Choice 4: MattressHelp.org Sleep Health Scholarship (Individual, Seniors Only)
https://mattresshelp.org/scholarship/
This contest is intended to spread awareness about sleep as a public health issue. Create a short video that answers the following: What factors most negatively and positively affect your sleep? Assess the quality of your own sleep health and discuss some ways that you can improve it. Make your video creative and impactful both to yourself and others.
Length: less than 5 minutes Prize: $1000 scholarship Deadline: 9/25/18

Blog Assignments Due 3/11/18

Animation:
https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/paddington-2-find-characters-performance-155896.html

Film & VFX:
No blogs this week. You will be doing an analysis of Donnie Darko, due 3/15.

Blog Assignments Due 3/4/18

Animation:
https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/do-digital-characters-deserve-academy-awards

Film & VFX: 
https://nofilmschool.com/2018/02/use-super-easy-super-clever-trick-create-more-dramatic-audio

Extra Credit Blog Opportunity, Due 2/25/18

Animation:
https://www.fxguide.com/featured/the-future-is-today-how-ilm-made-time-travel-possible-frame-by-frame/

Film & VFX:
https://nofilmschool.com/2016/04/what-happens-block-same-exact-scene-differently

In order to receive full extra credit, you also need to do a Weekly Comments post, but do not need to comment on others' blogs this time.

Blog Assignments Due 2/11/18

Both classes will use the same article this week:
http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2018/01/25/video-game-addiction-who-the-esa/

Here is a supplementary article with more information that I also recommend reading to help with your analysis:
https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/27/health/video-game-disorder-who/index.html

Blog Assignments Due 02/04/18

Animation:
http://blog.animationmentor.com/why-all-animators-need-to-master-the-moving-hold/

Film & VFX:
Low-Budget Filmmaking - Creating an Apocalyptic World: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95LGDKfvv-4

Blog Assignments Due 01/28/18 (DATE CHANGE)

Update: I have extended the deadline on these so that you have extra time to work around studying for exams next week.

Animation:
http://blog.animationmentor.com/choosing-the-best-poses-for-your-acting-shot/

Fim and VFX:
https://nofilmschool.com/2016/10/watch-5-key-lighting-principles-you-should-know-about

Google Doodle Contest

https://doodles.google.com/d4g/how-it-works.html

Blog Assignments Due 01/07/18

Animation: 
http://blog.animationmentor.com/dont-be-scared-to-critique-more-experienced-animators/

Film & VFX:
https://nofilmschool.com/2017/01/negative-space-film-frame