November 10, 2005
Video
Objective: to create a title intro for a current movie or fictional one.
Posted by Kate Bauer at 09:50 AM | Comments (0)
October 27, 2005
Animation
Short cartoon created using Flash.
Posted by Kate Bauer at 09:46 AM | Comments (0)
October 13, 2005
Sound Project 1
Using Audacity, present your 55 word story as a radio theater piece.
A couple of things to think about-
Rhythm & movement
Combining sounds
Twisting sounds
Timing
Texture & layers
Using the human voice
Environment & space
Placing sound in a field-creating a phantom image
Approach this project like a photographer using a camera. Use sound editing programs with sound like you would use Photoshop with images.
Posted by Kate Bauer at 12:35 AM | Comments (0)
September 29, 2005
Interface Design
Tools for Kids
By Tikva Morowati, Ahn Nguyen and Kate Bauer
Objective: To design and build a children’s game that teaches the importance of basic skills, such as brushing your teeth, picking up your toys, etc.
Concept: The game would consist of a series of screens or levels, each being its own brief lesson. There will be no words on the interface, as the target audience is mostly, if not all, younger than the typical reading age. Think: “Young Sims”
Target Audience: Primary- Children, Ages 3-5; Secondary- Parents to purchase the game for their children
Interface Design: Simple, parts you can control should be highlighted in some way: color, sounds, motion
Environment: bedroom with bathroom on the side, accessible through a door; one room, one viewpoint, objects in room either active or inactive; separate screen shows up over grayed out main screen when object is clicked on- animation occurs in this screen
Actions: things character will be able to do
Objects needed:
1. cut hair scissors
2. brush teeth toothbrush
3. sleep bed
4. eat healthy candy bar/ apple
5. read books
6. feedback/ play bears
7. turn light on/off light switch/ lamp
8. watch t.v. television set
9. see weather outside window
10. open door between bedroom and bathroom door
11. water plant plant/ watering can
12. feed pet turtle
13. closet monster
14. wash himself bathtub/ bubble bath bottle
Initial Setup:
Main Stage
bedroom with bathroom connected (transitions by moving to the right)
Secondary Stage
bathroom with bedroom connected (transitions by moving to the left)
Animation Stage
screen pops up in front of grayed-out main or secondary stage, character is on screen (portrait-view; from elbows up), and the selected objects are clickable and close-up of that part of the room is in the background of this window, user can click on the objects to make the character do something with them; once something is done, the screen closes and the user is sent back to the main stage
Note: This format is similar for every active object clicked on.
Posted by Kate Bauer at 12:03 AM | Comments (0)
September 22, 2005
The Frankenstein Project/Creating the Unreal
Create an environment or scene that doesn't exist, or couldn't exist. Create a stage with musicians who would never play together, unlikely actors and actresses in a film scene they never appeared in, or a magazine cover featuring a story that you would like to see covered (real or imaginary.)
Posted by Kate Bauer at 05:00 PM | Comments (0)
September 20, 2005
Façade and Crimson Room
Façade
coming soon...
The game directs the user to the goal immediately at the start. The user can collect items, which are then listed on the right corner of the screen. These objects are also little mysteries. Through experimentation, the user will soon develop a sense of how and where to apply them. Every new discovery feels like a small accomplishment.
There are, of course, times when the user may not discover something for a long time. This leads to frustration, which can easily be cured by either taking a break or discovering something new. It has a kind of addictive quality to it, actually.
In terms of graphics, there is nothing extraneous. It seems as though everything serves a purpose. This minimalist approach is both good and bad. It seems very easy to figure out because the actual visual is not so complex. Once you realize the game is actually a bit more complicated than you had originally expected, the lack of objects in the room makes the “stuck” feeling even worse. Not only are you stuck; you are stuck in a room that feels like there is no escape.
It was interesting to play a game without all the bells and whistles that other games have. It was helpful to know from people who have played it that there is a way out of the room. Had I not known that, I might have given up a lot sooner than I did.
Posted by Kate Bauer at 11:46 PM | Comments (0)
Storytelling from Multiple Perspectives
Take three perspectives on a common event. Three separate people- one event. They can be in separate places, but they share a common point of focus. Write all three perspectives, but keep them all to 55 words.
Posted by Kate Bauer at 11:44 PM | Comments (0)
September 14, 2005
The World's Shortest Story
Write a Story in 55 words. Try to create an original story or narrative with only 55 words. Pick your genre- romance, philosophy, mystery, murder, humor... whatever.
"The Usual"
by Kate Bauer
Hungry for more, he leaned in close.
thighs so warm and tender,
On the hard wood table surface.
Time flew by quickly.
His body could take no more.
Exhausted, he let out a deep sigh.
"Ready for more?" the waitress asked,
glancing at the empty plate of fried chicken.
"Just the check, please," he answered.
Posted by Kate Bauer at 11:30 PM | Comments (0)
September 08, 2005
Self-Evaluation
Write a self-evaluation of where you are now, your perception of the field, what you know, what you want to know and where you want to go. Keep this to a page or two. At the end of this course, it is very useful to look back at this writing to see where you were.
Posted by Kate Bauer at 11:50 PM | Comments (0)