Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Final Views

1. Describe how lighting, colors, and shadows are used to create a mood or feeling in commercials, TV shows and movies and use a YouTube video as an example to explain your answer. Name a movie, video or a director who uses lights, colors and shadows effectively and why?

Lighting, colors, and shadows are all used to ...create a mood or feeling in commercials, TV shows, and movies. Lighting is defined as the deliberate manipulation of light and shadows for a specific purpose. When used effectively, lighting can alter the mood of any TV show or movie. Lighting is used to manipulate our perception of the environment. Lighting helps us see and feel in a specific way. Typically, bright lighting expresses a happy or energetic mood, while dark lighting may represent a sad, scary, or mysterious feel. Lighting can also help us interpret time of day and seasons. The different technique used (angle/location/brightness) when lighting is what causes a different feeling.

Colors are used to add different dimensions to things. Color can be used to bring excitement and joy or danger and anger to any medium. Color works int he same manner that lighting does in the sense that depending on what color is added, and in what amount or shade, a different mood is represented. There are many different techniques to add coloring to a scene, but every different color represents a different mood, depending on how it is used. Color helps us learn more from a scene, as black and white is always the same, no information can be found. Color shading, contrasts, and similarities all help induce a different mood from each scene.

Shadows also help bring about a different mood in television and movies. There are many different kinds of shadows; including attached shadows and cast shadows. Shadows can help determine space and shape. Depending on where the shadow is cast, we can tell the mood of the scene. For example, if someone's whole face is covered by a shadow, the scene will feel dark to us, and make us think that the person hidden by a shadow is evil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whhAMSSexQ8

This video clip is representative of the whole movie. It is a scene from Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. This entire movie effectively uses lighting to darken the emotion in the movie. This movie is very dark and at times disturbing. In the clip, you can get a feel for Sweeney Todd as a character. His face is pale, and his clothing and hair is dark. This clip also shows an effective use of shadows. The room he is in is his barber shop. It is a very dark, colorless room. It is the room where all of Sweeney Todd's murders take place. I think the lack of color and the shadows on the wall help portray a dark, gloomy atmosphere. This movie was directed by Tim Burton, who is notorious for his dark films.

2. Describe how natural sounds, music, voice and noises are used to create a feeling or mood in
   TV shows, commercials and TV shows to get a response or deliver a message. Again, you must
   use a YouTube video as an example to explain your answer. Name a movie director or a
   performing artist/musician/group who uses sound, music, voice or noises to create a feeling or 
   mood, and describe the mood (s) they create by their use of sound and yes use a video clip to 
   back up your point.

Sounds, music, voice, and noises are very much like lighting, color, and shadows in the fact that they can all induce a feeling or mood in TV shows, commercials, and movies to deliver a message. A person's tone of voice is an easy indicator of how that person is feeling, whether it be happy, sad, angry, sarcastic, or funny. Both sound and noise are essential to the feeling given off my a movie. Sound has purpose and is organized, while noise is essentially random. A noise such as a breaking glass off camera can lead to a viewer wondering what happened because there are many different explanations. However if the scene is showing a car crash, you know that the breaking glass sound indicates a car window being broken. The two different scenarios warrant different reactions from the audience, but both deliver a message and change the mood of the audience. The importance and understanding of sound is completely based upon the context it is used in.

Music is a very essential element in any production. Music is much more comparable to lighting because it is at times constantly there. Whereas a noise or sound can suddenly change the mood of a scene, music usually lasts throughout a scene and builds up emotion in the scene. Often times in scary movies, eerie, sharp music is played to build tension right before someone is murdered. The music playing during the climax of a love scene is slow and romantic. Music in an action movie is upbeat and loud, especially when a chase scene is occuring. Music sets the tone throughout entire scenes. Based on the beat, tempo, and volume of the music, the audience knows what is going on. It is often easy to predict what is generally happening in a movie if you close your eyes and listen to music or to the sounds. Music, sounds, voice, and noise are all essential in setting the tone of the scene. These elements add a whole new dynamic to the emotion felt in a movie or television show.

http://www.schooltube.com/video/a438bfdad56bc5c74f4b/Golden-Idol-Scene

This is one of the most famous scenes in movie history, when Indiana Jones switches the bag of sand for the coveted Golden Idol. Without looking at the clip, the sound tells a lot about the scene, and the emotion that takes place in it. In the beginning the music is slowly building up so you know something suspenseful is going to happen. Then, it stops so the audience relaxes and thinks everything is ok. But when it picks up again, the music and sound effects point out that Indiana Jones is in danger, and he is running for his life. The music in this scene is imperative to build drama and suspense to the movie. It is a perfect example of how sound and music amplify feeling in a movie.


3. Describe how motion is utilized in TV shows, commercials, and films to get a response and to deliver a message. Yes, you must use a YouTube video as an example to explain your answer.

Motion, like sound and lighting, helps develop the mood of a television show, commercial, or movie, as well as helps deliver a message. Depending on the speed of the motion, we get a sense of emotion from the particular scene. A fast paced car chase instills a different emotional response than watching a couple row a boat through a lazy pond (a la Alfalfa and Darla). Motion is the reason why people are entertained by movies and television. Nobody goes to the movie theater to watch a still slide show. Motion helps develop a plot to the movie. Motion makes movie and television more real. Even though the movie is on a still screen, the apparent motion makes a movie-going experience more thrilling than simply sitting in a chair watching a screen. Motion is usually correlated to sound and music. Fast motion warrants upbeat sounds and music, while slow motion or stillness is coupled with relaxed tones.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-GKHzRcbAM

Disclaimer: This scene contains gruesome footage. And by gruesome, I mean people being eaten by bugs. As gross as it is, this scene also is a perfect example of how motion effects the emotion and mood of the scene. This scene is from the movie Cloverfield, which, similar to The Blair Witch Project, is shot exclusively from a first person perspective. The camera work is directly vulnerable to people's moods and events. In this scene, the motion of the camera is hectic and unfocused. This leads the viewer know that whatever the people are running from, they are clearly very scared because they're not worried about the camera. This scene allows us to fully understand the characters due to their motions. It is a great clip that shows how motion effects mood because the violent camera movements depict an intense mood.


4. What is the best part of your experience in this class and why? What were the most important   things that you learned in this class? List at least three.

The best part of this class was the different way it was conducted. Throughout my 4 years in college, I have never taken a class that was this interactive. It was always a treat in the past if a teacher decided to take a class outside, or let us learn by doing a hands-on experience. In this class, what you learn was completely dependent upon how involved we were. Through this class I feel I gained tangible experience with things that I can actually use. Reading a book only gets you so far, but being able to shoot and post and comment on my own videos was very helpful. The high energy with which this class was conducted was unlike anything I'd ever experienced before. That energy was the best part of the class, because it was a different, exciting approach to learning.

The most important things I learned in this class were Vulcan analysis, personal accountability, and I also learned a lot about technology. The Vulcan analysis was pounded into my head repeatedly, and I feel like I can "Vulcanize" anything now. It was difficult at first, but after the constant practice, I feel confident in my Vulcan skills. Accountability was a very big part of this class. Because of the nature of the class,  things were always changing. There was no syllabus set in stone. I needed to learn to be responsible and always check in for this class for new assignments, and even to see where our class was meeting. I gained experience in being flexible and taking responsibility for my own work, as there was no one clearly laying out guidelines. But the biggest challenge for me was adapting to the technology skills necessary for this class. I have never been one to be constantly checking Facebook, and I'd never even thought about going anywhere near a blog or a Twitter. Now I have both. I learned how to post videos on YouTube, and post pictures on Facebook. This is all stuff I had never done before (because I'm an old soul, and hate technology) but now I think I am more than adequate in that area all thanks to this class.

5. Explain how you like working in groups in this class, and how has your team grown. Did you like using Facebook as the primary communications tool, and did think it made the class closer as a group?

I really liked working in groups for many reasons.  One is that this was really my first class working in groups the whole year.  It really helped me work more on my social skills and also working together in a team when normaly I hate doing. Together as a team I feel like we grew together and really helped and understood each others weakness.  So when one person had a problem mainly me I could count on my team to be there and help me.  When Doc Chris first told us about Facebook being the primary means of communication. I thought it was a joke and I felt that would cause me to slack off.  But when that rule was applied I slowly realized that that was a great trick on Doc's part.  I say that because I am always on Facebook so that meant that I should never have any problem with knowing or not knowing what is going on in class.  I feel this really help us as a class because it forced us to get to know each other.


Evaluate your team. Do you understand why folks were put on trial rather than giving a failing grade for making mistakes and why the trials were public? Explain. Did you notice that people grew after being placed on trial, and cite and example? Do you think that being put on trial made you more accountable to your group, this class, yourself and your professor?
My team was by far the best group of people I have ever teamed with in any class.  This class was a great learning experience for all of us.  We learned how each other worked and grew together.  As for people being put on trial. Well it was funny but it really showed how much Doc Chris cared and did not want to see people fail or get anything lower than an A in his class.  When someone was put on trial not only did it show how much he cared but it was a great source for using sight, sound, and motion.  After each trial we all began to notice how much we were growing in the class.  I also noticed that people were trying stay out of court so we had no choice but to stay up on our work.  I do believe that being put on trial made me accountable to my group more than anything else.  the reason for that is that it throws everything away from the hard work you and your team worked and stived for.

6. How have you grown in this course thus? Has it helped you critically think and have you applied what you have learned in other courses yet? Examine your blog for 20 minutes and review your reflections, do you understand why Dr. Chris did some things that appeared unorthodoxed at first but made sense in the end? Do you feel more aware of what you see, do you view things that you know differently,  and are you more aware of your environment after having taken this class?
Now that I am done with class I can see how much I have grown thinking wise.  Before this class I was already a great critical thinker but now that I have gone throught this class I saw the things that were missing so this class helped me sharpen my loose ends.  After looking at my blog i see exactlly what Doc was getting at.  In the begining I did not really understand why we were doing things the way we were. But now that I have gone through the class it came clear to me.  Now that I think about it I have become more awhare of the things I see and also what is going on around me in the environment.  Now I look at my surrounding environment down to the smallest detail.

7. Evaluate Dr. Chris. Did he do an effective job coaching you and preparing you for the production process? Do you like the fact that social media, applied exams and exercises, and intern hours  instead of using primarily textbooks, notebooks and handouts? Explain why or why not. Would you recommend this class with Dr. Chris to a friend or classmate? Why or why not? Do you think that other other professors should utilize these methods? Did you feel like you received indiviudual attention and support from Dr. Chris when you ran into a problem in the course? What grade would you give this class? What would you like Dr. Chris to done more of in this class? Did you feel confident with the Sight, Sound & Motion  process now after having taken this class? Knowing what you know about this class would take it again with Dr. Chris and why? Did you like doing non-traditional examinations where you actually demonstrated your knowledge inside College Center, in the main quad and in the classroom? Why? Did you realize that you were the sight, sound and motion that created sight, sound and motion from the people in your surroundings? Do you feel more confident approaching other classes based on what you learned in the class.

Doc Chris is way out of the ordanary. I think he did a great job not only in teaching but in coaching as well.  He showed us how even the small things in our everyday lives matter.  As for how we went on in class without using textbooks and etc. I loved it because i'll tell you now that if had to use books and all that I would not have the grade I have now nor be close to the grade I really want in this class which is an A.  I for one like the way he tought this class and think all professors should adopt this method.  I have already told people about this class and all the things we do and how they would be really crazy not to take this class.  I also believe that I have gotten all the attenion anyone could ask for.  As for the exams I loved how they were far from the regular.  It was a big weight pulled off my shoulders because I am not a great test taker I really hate them.  Now that i've gone through this class I do feel like there is more to learn but I do feel very confident in approching other classes and if it were possible I would take an upper level in this class.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Final Exam Photos

I was a member of the blue group. All of the following Vulcan analysis and opinions are based of pictures taken from both the red group and the green group. I will analyze 5 pictures from the two other groups, as well as two sounds and two motions.

Sight:

In this box I see six humans.  They are all facing different directions.  Three of them have on shirts that are green.  Two of them shirts that have the letters L. O. Y. O. L. A. on the front of them.  There are two guys and one women that have hats on.  The women who is facing towards a different direction is wearing a purple and white hat with some kind of white patch on the back.  The first guy that is faced towards the front has on a white hat and the last guy who is on the end is wearing a black hat with the letter O on it in orange.  There are three women who have on different colors.  Two of them are wearing blue and the other is wearing a tan shirt with black symbols on the back of it. In the background there are three different objects. One of the objects is not clear because there is a green rectangle blocking my view.  This rectangle has a weird symbol on it and in big letters L. O. Y. O. L. A. on it and smaller letters under it that are not clear. But the object has what looks like opening on the front of it. The other object looks like a really big triangle with a smaller on in front of it. This object also has opening on it. The last object is a smaller rectangle that also has openings on it and this object is green and white.

Opinion:

This is a picture of the green groups first snap shot.  This picture was taken in the quad.  The green team are in a straight line.  There are six of them so they split into two groups.  They stagger these groups in the line they formed.  One group is facing away from the camera and the other group is facing the camera.  There is also a Loyola University sign on a light pole behind them.

 

In this box it looks as if it is in the same place as the box above.  There are now three objects that have the letters L. O. Y. O. L. A. with a strange symbol over them.  Off in a far there is a white figure that looks like a human but it isn't.  There are six humans who are bent over in a front position. Four of them have on the color for the most part. I can't really tell if it's red or orange.  But two of these humans who are female have on color that are not close to the others.  One of them is wearing pink the other is wearing black.  In this front ground I see a humans arms and feet.  In the background i see a square shaped object that is black and gold and behind it i see what maybe four humans.  In the background there are three different objects. One of the objects is not clear because there is a green rectangle blocking my view.  This rectangle has a weird symbol on it and in big letters L. O. Y. O. L. A. on it and smaller letters under it that are not clear. But the object has what looks like opening on the front of it. The other object looks like a really big triangle with a smaller on in front of it. This object also has opening on it. The last object is a smaller rectangle that also has openings on it and this object is green and white.


Opinion:

This is a picture of the orange/red team.  They are in the quad as well.  This group is bowing down as if they just finished performing.  There are are now three signs that say Loyola University on them as well as the statue of Mary in the background.  There are also people walking back by the study.



In this box it looks as if it is in the same place as the box above.  There are now three objects that have the letters L. O. Y. O. L. A. with a strange symbol over them.  Off in a far there is a white figure that looks like a human but it isn't. In the background there are three different objects. One of the objects is not clear because there is a green rectangle blocking my view.  This rectangle has a weird symbol on it and in big letters L. O. Y. O. L. A. on it and smaller letters under it that are not clear. But the object has what looks like opening on the front of it. The other object looks like a really big triangle with a smaller on in front of it. This object also has opening on it. The last object is a smaller rectangle that also has openings on it and this object is green and white.  There are five humans that are wearing the colors orange and red one of them has on pink. These humans are pulling up their shirts in a fashion as if they are showing it off.  They also have an happy expression on their faces.

Opinion:

This is the orange/red team standing in a different position than before.  They are standing up right and pulling their shirts up showing them off.  The statue of Mary is also in this picture.








In this box it seems to me that the focus is mostly on these twin objects that are orange.  Coming out of these objects are a pair of what looks like blue legs.  Next to these objects is an oddly shaped black object.  But there is many shades of green surounding these objects and looks as if its slowly consuming them. As my eyes look more and more out of the box the green begins to turn brown with pink and white objects then surounding all of this is rectangle shapes combind into one big thing.

Opinion:

This picture is pretty simple.  It just Leitha standing next to an light pole in the quad.  But the main focus in this picture is her rain boots.







In this box it looks as if it is in the same place as the boxes above.  There is one object that have the letters L. O. Y. O. L. A. with a strange symbol over them.  In this box I see six humans who all have the color green on.  All of their shirts have the letters L. O. Y. O. L. A. on the front of them.  In the background there are three different objects. One of the objects is not clear because there is a green rectangle blocking my view.  This rectangle has a weird symbol on it and in big letters L. O. Y. O. L. A. on it and smaller letters under it that are not clear. But the object has what looks like opening on the front of it. The other object looks like a really big triangle with a smaller on in front of it. This object also has opening on it. The last object is a smaller rectangle that also has openings on it and this object is green and white.  The humans in this box are making strange symbols with their bodies.  It also looks like they are forming the letters L. O. Y. O. L. A.

Opinion:

This is a picture of the green team in the quad.  There is a Loyola University sign behind them.  They are also forming the word Loyola with their bodies.





Opinion: This is a picture of my group aka the Blue Team.  All we are doing ins lying in the grass in the quad stricking a pose for the camera.

In this box I see nine humans.  They all have on different color except two of them who are wearing the color blue.  Their blue shirts have strang symbols on the front of them.  There is on male with an orange shirt with symbols on it.  This group of humans look like they are resting on some kind of green patch of land.  Three of the humans who are female are bundled up together and have their hand on their faces and showing emotion with their faces.  There is an brown circle behind the male in the far back.  This small brown circle has some strange looking object coming out of the center of it. 

Opinion:
In this picture we are in the quad.  We are standing in a line trying to make ourselves the same height by standin shortest to tallest on a hill.
There are nine humans in this box.  They all have on different color except two of them who are wearing the color blue.  Their blue shirts have strang symbols on the front of them.  There is on male with an orange shirt with symbols on it.  They are all line up in a straight line and it seems to me like they all are the same height.  There is a green object bhind them with a symbol on it that is not very clear.  Two of the humans who are female are standing back to back on one end with their arms crossed and on the other end two males are side by side creating an odd gesture with their arms.  There are also two more males who have black objects covering their eyes.  One of these males who is wearing a blue shirt is slightly turn to his left side.



Opinion:  In this picture my team and I standing in the quad on the path and we are moving to the side in a pattern except for me. I am in the back standing straight.

The humans in this box are in a single file line.  They are standing on some knid of path that is made out of small rectangle shapes.  Starting from the front of the line they lean to different sides of each other.  This pattern goes all the way down the line until it gets to the last person who is standing tall with his hands on his hips.




Opinion:

This is a picture of the red team in the quad.  they are all down on one knee with their hand resting under their chins.  There is also the staue of Mary in the background.


This box is just like all of the others.  There are now four objects that have the letters L. O. Y. O. L. A. with a strange symbol over them.  Off in a far there is a white figure that looks like a human but it isn't. In the background there are three different objects.  The people in this picture are all down on one knee with there left arm and hand under their chin.

Opinion:

In this picture there is a group of girls who are standing side by side.  They all have their right foot in front of them and that is the main focus of this picture.

In the box below I see human legs and feet.  It looks as if this legs and feet belong to females.  They all have their right foot forward and their left legs back behind them.  These women seem to have strange objects on their feet.  Most of these objects are the color brown except for two.  One of the two is black and the other is white or tan. 

Final Exam Videos

Video 1http://youtu.be/t-6_Rc6Dcbw

Motion:

I see a group of people who are lined up on two different sides and their numbers are even.  Then they begin to move towards each other one pair at a time. As they move they put their hands up in the air then touch hands then swing them low and touch them again as they walk away in different directions.

Sound:

When these people move toward each other and touch hand their hands make a loud sound like a clapping sound.  This sound happens ever time each person touches the other persons hand.  Then I hear someone say that was hot then another one say that was hot in agreement. 



Video 2:
Sound: a series of clapping, conversation in the background, "got it, got it, this is a video" "yeah"

Opinion: This video is just like a speak and respond but with clapping. 

Video3: http://youtu.be/wqOZIFQrR10

Sound: There is a group of people making loud sounds with their feet.

Opinion: It's just the red team stompping.

Video4: http://youtu.be/D4SOilzQojY


Sound: "clap clap clap clap clap clap", (group then echos this sound with claps), "like that", "one more time" "clap clap clap clap clap clap" (group echos clapping sound again)

Opinion: This video was really cute. I like how the group worked together to make an echoed clapping sound.

Video5:    http://youtu.be/nrj5PRdzJU4


Motion: soul train line: 2 people do swimming dance move, 2 people walk down the line and bump hips together, two people side steps and snap fingers, move arms, two people bump hips together and swing arms

Opinion: This Video is just to funny. HAHAHA!!!

Video 6: http://youtu.be/KONxug4HOdk


Motion: soul train line: one person walks down the line stepping side to side and swinging arms, one person goes down the line rolling arms towards her, Doc Chris steps side to side holding jacket, jumps at the end like M.J and showing off (lol), a girl skips while moving arm, girl, walks down the line while moving arms, Doc Chris goes again just to let people know that he runs it, leans back while moving arms up and down

Opinion: This video shows that Doc Chris still got it lol!! 

Video7:  http://youtu.be/GW4kZmdNdxU

Motion: The first girl walks down the line touching shoulders, head, hips, boy walks down and does cartwheel  shoe flies off his foot, next two boys walk down doing what they call the "shopping cart." The next girl skips down really quickly, two boys walk down with hands in the air snapping their fingers, I do the runnin man then picks up foot and pushes leg in and out, next boy turns in a circle, boy swings arm back and forth while bending down

Opinion: this video was too funny.

http://youtu.be/xuulk4cnccE

Lighting




                                                                           

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Exam 3 videos

http://youtu.be/iEN2SJ_Lc-o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=&feature=player_embedded

Exam 3 part 1


This picture is of the quad with the statue of Mary in the center of it and Beatty Hall in the background. The path is my favorite part of this picture because it isn't just straight, it has a nice curve to it. Again, I love the darkness of this photo because the sky is still light and the trees look like silhouettes.

Vulcan:
The bottom of this picture is very dark but a grey curvy shape takes form at the bottom right. This shape continues through the center of the photo where there is a building a white structure raised up on some kind stand. The ground around this part of the photo looks more green than black. The sky is white looking and this contrasts with the darkness of the branches making them completely black and they, along with the buildings, stand out against the sky.




This picture is of one of Loyola's light posts with the Loyola banner hanging on it. It also has Beatty Hall in the background and I like it because I took it around 5 o'clock and the sun is starting to set making the picture darker due to the backlight changing. I just think this picture is cool looking and it captures my favorite time of day.

Vulcan:
There is a long black pole in the center of this picture with a rectangle attached to the left side of it. The banner is a dark green and it says "LOYOLA" on it. The background is blue and white at the top and gets a little more yellow towards the building in the background. The subjects of this picture are very dark in the foreground also looking like a silhouette. The tree branches are especially dark looking.







This picture is of one of the Loyola trucks that event services uses when they are setting up or cleaning up an event. I took this picture outside of McManus theater around 5 o'clock in the evening which is why there is a strong shadow coming from the left side of the picture. 

Vulcan:
Majority of this picture is white and there is a crest looking shape in the center with the words "LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MARYLAND" written next to it. There is also a black, rounded rectangle under those worlds. Finally there is a large round circle sticking out from a black stick in the top left of the photo.
image below:




This picture is of Jenkins Hall on the quad. I like the pattern of the pathway a lot in this shot. There isn't much more to say about it but there are two people walking towards the back of the photo and the trees have no leaves which contrasts the newly bright green of the bushes and grass with the coming of Spring!

Vulcan:
There is a building in the background with a bunch of black rectangles outlined in white on it. Above the the building is white with some blue to the left but below the building is mostly green. There is also a long grey rectangle starting at the foot of the building and going all the way to the bottom of the photo. This grey strip has a very interesting pattern made up of even smaller rectangles.







Finally, this photo was taken right in front of the McManus theater. It is a small "statue" of a famous Jesuit but I'm not sure of exactly who. It is a cool picture because the statue is so simple and is completely on the left side of the picture but the right has the nice purple flowers to give the photo some color.

Vulcan:
The bottom of this picture is green with a few purple spots to the right side. The left is taken up mostly by a large structure that looks like two rectangles that meet each other at an angle. These rectangles are a light color speckled with brownish spots. On both sides there are copper squares, one side has the face of a man on it and green lines coming for the bottom corners of the copper squares. The top of this photo is a brown color with some branches sticking up.