Interactive Narrative

Titled : finding a friend

The Brief:

• Produce an interactive narrative using still images positioned onto the Timeline in Flash CS3
• This interactive narrative should utilise a branching structure that forces the user to make a number of decisions as they progress through the narrative piece
• Narrative should be the primary concern

The Rules:

• You will need to have at least seven still images to complete your interactive narrative
• It is important that image, text, and audio are seriously examined in an attempt to truly consider audience engagement and interaction
• You should use ActionScript 3.0 to build interactivity and the navigation structure into your movie. (A simple ActionScript template will be provided)
• You MUST publish your final movie as both HTML and SWF
• This is an individual assignment

idea
Interactive narritive, still images of my halls, start of in my room where user clicks the left/ right button ,room moves round to the left/right, the there a choice of where to go. Freedom to rotate around the room, and around the halls, use of sound, from others rooms, as well as the kitchen, etc,using more then one image,pasted together, at slightly differnt angles you can mak the interface look like the room is rotating.

kitchen( are you hungry) i cant remember which cupboard is mine, il have to try all of them

flat rooms( i wonder who is in)

stairs, where should i go upstairs or downstairs

Progress
i been at it for one day and so far ive got a video intro which incooperates flash into it, it starts of as a dream, and the user does have any control, the when the interface it accessable by the audience ther is alot that i have tried to add to make it interesting, ive added sounds and images and i was considering adding some more video, ive used more then seven images but i fill that more were needed for my task.

The Virtual Life Of Me

Diary Entry

29.11.07

we was given a virtual website to go onto which was http://www.secondlife.com/ and to create a virtual account so that we can interact with other people, and in a way life a alternative life,or second life as you may.

i am into designing, so i through that i would have a look around the place, see if i can find anywhere that does designing, and if i had the money buy a bit of land and create my own design studio,

06.12.07

today i finally got a email back from second life saying on how to activate my account, i have to download the client and because of the slow Internet connection at my halls, it saying it will take roughly nine hours to download 60MB. so i am going to have to get the client a different way. but hopefully i will be playing it soon and seeing what my second life is like.

13.12.07

OK finally got the client to work and install, had to do it at uni on my day off, now all i got to do is try it out when i get back to my halls

14.12.07

created a character and i haven't got a clue what the point in this is or what I'm suppose 2 be doing, i cant find any help guide or anything. so for tonight i think I'm going to give up and have another go tomorrow.

15.12.07

I finally got some cloths on my character but still ain't found the meaning of this game, i randomly teleported to a place in the middle of nowhere and now i cant get back, this is just one confusing game. it really needs a help guide.

19.12.07

well i haven't been on the game in a few days, and last time i left it i was in the middle of a field that i had randomly teleported to, and when i logged back on today, someone has built a house on top of me and i am now stuck under the floorboards, Ive tried teleporting and everything and nothing wants to work for me, this is more of a annoyance then a game. i think I'm going to give up on it and play a more interesting online game like legend of Mir or cabal

01.01.08

i through i would give second life another chance. so i through i would read the manual before i tried to have a go at the game, this still didnt help as it explained and spoke about buttons and parts in the game with no reference images, so i wasnt sure what it was going on about. im going to keep trying to understand this game as best i can.but i dont see the purpose to it yet.

latest drawing

Visual Aesthetics

Visual Aesthetics can be broken down in a range of different categories, Film, Television, and Video, Two-Dimensional and Plastic Arts and the final is Digital Art.
Visual Aesthetics can also be called visual art, the term aesthetic is typically used to describe the look of feel of a product, visual aesthetic is more of the way a product looks, what is considered aesthetic varies greatly in different contexts, in visual aesthetics it is usually something that is tasteful, stylish and pleasing to the eye.

i decided to look at the one of the biggest merchandise that is on the market today, the ipod.





the ipod first hit the markets in 2001, it was designed by apple as a portable media player, apple were trying to keep up with the consumer market who were overwhelled by the mp3 player that on memory size could hold up to 300 songs.
the ipod classic had a monochrone lcd screen and was capable on holding anything up to 10,000 songs. later versions on the ipod had colour lcd and finally video compatable lcd screens.
the ipod is a small and compact media player, first described by CEO Steve Jobs as " a mac-compatible product with a 5GB hard drive the put 1000 songs in your pocket"
the ipod user interface has a colour display uses anti-aliased graphics and text, with sliding animation.
the classic ipods had five buttons and the later versions had the buttons intergrated into the click wheel.
the click wheel is remote control of the ipod.
The iPod has been upgraded many times, and each significant revision is called a generation. Only the most recent (highest numbered) generation of the iPod is available from Apple for each model (classic, nano, shuffle, touch). Each new generation usually has more features and refinements while typically being physically smaller and lighter than its predecessor, while usually (but not always) retaining the older model's price tag.



bibliography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod#History_and_design
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/2ad87f276bb280a936d300b3b026035e.png

The Captive Final

After editing this film I found it was quite long and alot of the dialogue was not needed. This is why I have made two versions of the film, the first with dialogue cut out where the captive appears to pass in and out of conciousness only catching little bits of the kidnapper's conversation. I realise that some might not consider this a true one shot film which is why i decided to make a second version where i keep all the original material with no cuts.

Here is the first version...


And the second version...



Using one shot it does appear as if you are watching from the captive's eyes, as in real life we cannot cut to another scene, what we see is like a constant one shot film. I feel I have achieved what i set out to do with this film and more. I feel a sense of terror watching this film back, from the shadey lighting the chilling breathing sounds it is quite easy to feel like you are in the captive's shoes. I do how ever think the sound of the paper keyhole being pulled away does effect the overall quality and the punch at the end does not feel like it is making contact with the victim. Otherwise I am pleased with the end result.

The Making Of the Captive

The shot for this film was actually inside my cupboard, my teammate Will squeezed inside with a camera and filmed me pacing around on his phone inside his room. Unfortunatley my cupboard didn't have a keyhole. The keyhole shot was achieved by having the cupboard door open and placing a sheet of paper with a keyhole shape cut into it over the cupboard entrance. At the end I has to open the cuboard door and assault the captive within, this was achieved by danny placing his hand over the keyhole, whilst the camera was obscured the paper was removed and the door to the cuboard was shut, with the door now shut the film can carry on as normal, but to make full effect of our lighting equipment we backlight me from behind whilst the cupboard door was closed so the when the door opened it looked like the captives eyes where adjusting to the level of light.

One Shot Film

for this assingment i wanted to try out some obscure camera angles to flm from, shots that show parts of people indicating that the scene is vastly greater then what can be seen in the show

Initial idea 1 - the Boy Racer
my idea for this shot was that the camera was down low to the ground and was facing up at a 45 degree angle, because the brief said that we couldnt move the camera, i was thinking of different ways to get around that. by puttin the camera in the car, the camera was stationary but the car could be moving i was thinking of having the camera so that it is angled so that you can see the gear box, as well as part of the driver from the back,and some of the movements outside the front screen window by putting the camera in the car, the camera was stationary but the car could be moving.

Idea 2 - the peeking tom
the peeking tom idea was a idea i got when i was looking out of a bus window and i could see someone behind me looking at me, for this idea to work i would have to get someone who was willing to get semi naked in the footage even though nothing would actually be shown, my idea was to have a women in her room doing some work on her computer or reading a book, then she realises the time, and rushes to get changed. the camera is on the outside of the window, as if someone is watching her. she takes her top off, and the undoes her bra, she just about to turn around to face the camera to get her top of the bed, when there is a knock at her door, she grabs her dressing gound from the back of the door, so she never turns back around when she doesnt have anything on her top half.

Idea 3 -The Grave-Robbers
this idea was going to be filmed at night in a graveyard, i was going to put the camera in some bushes so that some leaves were in front of the filming as if someone was in the bushes watching the people breaking into the graveyard

Idea 4 - Captive
this idea is going to be filmed within a small room, the camera lense will be shaped as a keyhole, to give the idea that someone is looking through the keyhole, on the actor. this is going to be a monologue, with the main character ( the kidnapper) talking to himself about what he has done and talking to the camera, looking at the keyhole as if he is talking to the captive person
at the start there is the sound of heavy breathing,the there is a fade from black,but with a blur on it as if someone is just waking up, the main character has a hood up through most of the talking, but then brings it down when he starts having multiply minds

Script- Monologue
this is nothing personal,its just business, as soon as we get our money you will be released, nothing will happen to you, i know you father has a lot of money and he would do anythign for his son, thats why you have nothing to fear.
he turns to the mirror and starts shaving, he cuts himself

Idea 5 - The Detective
i was watching a few films that a roommate had given me, and a couple of the films were black and white noirs, i was going to set out my room as a office, where im typing on the computer, checking the profiles of people recently arrested and doing paperwork,drinking coffee and smoking he then
recieves a call,with a tip off of a murdering that he has been searching for.

Most Favorite Idea
so far my most favorite idea has been idea number 4, it was a great piece to act out even though it took time,getin the mood and lighting and keyhole design to look good,

Synopsis – “One Shot”

Boy Racer
An interesting short one minute piece focusing on one single male character. We follow the man with close watchful eyes, he does not know we are there, he does not know that we are watching him as he drives about town hood up and drinking, should you fill sorry and anxiety towards this character or is ther more to him then meets the eye. its late at night, and his music is outstandingly loud, can he hear himself think, can he hear whats going on around him? the man stops he is waiting for something, he is nervous, biting his nails, but what is he nervious about.

Captive
this idea is going to be filmed within a small room, the camera lense will be shaped as a keyhole, to give the idea that someone is looking through the keyhole, on the actor. this is going to be a monologue, with the main character ( the kidnapper) talking to himself about what he has done and talking to the camera, looking at the keyhole as if he is talking to the captive personat the start there is the sound of heavy breathing,the there is a fade from black,but with a blur on it as if someone is just waking up, the main character has a hood up through most of the talking, but then brings it down when he starts having multiply minds

script - monologue:
camera wobbles around as if through the characters eyes, he/she does not know where they are but it is dark, they are afriad and calling out for help,
phone ringsthis is nothing personal,its just business, as soon as we get our money you will be released, nothing will happen to you, i know you father has a lot of money and he would do anythign for his son, thats why you have nothing to fear.he turns to the mirror and starts shaving, he cuts himself

new version -
phone rings:
hey
yeah i got it sorted
my place
yeah thats right
stupid son of bitch never knew what hit him
yeah thats right
tomorrow 12 o'clock
yeah if he's not there with the money... the kids finished
if you screw this up i swear to g...
alright fine
the truck should be here soon, then we can move him to the warehouse
yeah... then your boys can take good care of him (ha ha ha)
so what we talking 50/50?
sorry?
no i don't think so i need 50 grand by the end of this week or i'm a dead man
you better not screw me over you fat son of a bitch!
***guy is closet: ring tone
i'll call you back i have business to attend to, don't think i'm through talking with you
(cover keyhole, remove card,close door and turn on studio light)
if you were smart you would have kept your mouth shut... (punch)

Light
One of the most important factors of the mood in a film is light. there is little light in this shot and it is filmed blurry up close but more detail in the distance as if the audience is trying to focus in on what is happening to them Music The soundtrack of the film will consist of heavy rock music playing in the background, at the beginning a heart beat and throughout the shot it is a monologue of the kidnappered talking to the victim.

Communication
the first video is a single piece of work, with one character monologueing to the camera who is surpose to be another character and the camera is looking through there eyes. throughout the monologue the kidnapper talks directly to the victim, he makes constant eye contact through the keyhole, he does show emotions to his victim but he does sit in his own self pitty. i wanted the audience to feel as if they dont know if they should feel sorry for the main character of resent him for what he has done.

Evaluation
An interesting short one minute piece focusing on one single male character. We follow the man in a heavily restless state as time slowly counts down. Anxiety and apprehension form the predominant tone of the piece.

Narrative Assignment

I have been given my first module, titled narratives (worth 30 points or 300 hours). This module presents me with the opportunity to communicate ideas and stories through the use of multimedia. The narratives module is divided into 3 projects, the first being pixelation where still images are combined to create a moving image (i.e stop motion), later I will be looking at films (the moving image) and inter actives.
I'm currently enjoying the pixelation project as i have used similar methods before in my free time and i am building on existing ideas.

college project

This was one of my final major projects at college.it was a group work assignment on stop motion animation. i wasnt that interested in the stop motion but i was interested in the video and audio editting, or final production of the work.so my major role was to do the editting of the video work



This was my groups animatic sequence, this was a test of what our final verion of our stop motion would look like.



This was my final version of the animatic sequence, it slightly differed from the final version of the rest of the group because it was my task to do the audio/video editing part of the assignment as well as the animating.



this was another one of my college projects, this was solo work that i had to do

North West Kent College Weird and 3D Maya Assignment

this was one of my final projects at college, it was entitled weird, and the assignment breif was was very wide, we was allowed to do anything our imagination could condure up as long as the movie was weird,

weird assignment:

3-D Maya assignment:

A little bit of inspiration

this is a great music video.. i added it up on my blog because it has animation within the video, its a great video and a great influence to alot of my work...i love the effect that basic blakc and white images or animations have on people as you can see from this music video
the bit im talking about is from 02:08-02:21

Narratives Stage 1

For this assignment. we had to work in groups of about 4 people and create a short project that covered different forms of narration.
for this assignment we had to create a video footage of our choice using just still images and through these image sequences we were to make the final footage. we had to consider a lot for this pieces from the contents and narrative of each image or image sequence to the pacing, timing and even light levels.
my group consisted of three other guys and we started off our work just very simply taking stills of us walking around town,we had a lot of movement and few images and this demonstrated a jumping/ delaying effect in the footage. so we scraped that work and started fresh. we slowed down our movement and took more images in the timing. this created more of a flowing effect in our work that of which is produced in filming.
our work started as just being footage of ourselves, and showing motion and movement, we started discussing and developing ideas that each other had, we through that it would be a good idea not to just take stills of people but also inanimate objects.so as we were going around town taking pictures we was looking in shops and around at other people for inspiration. we stumbled upon the pound shop in the town square and we brought a cheap chess and domino's set and we started to animate them.we were in town for a few hours, and after all the work and having fun we had done, we found ourselves very tired and hungry. so off to the student union we when. Will got himself a burger and we through it would be funny if we filmed him while he ate. and made it look like the burger ate itself. next stop was upstairs to get a pint, yet another chance to try out our filming skills, the pints looked like they drank themselves, these two image sequences illustrated that we were studied and it let you in to a part of the student life and best of all it was great fun doing it while we was taking the image