Finished off the filming the outside shots and gathered a few more experimental shots along the way to add further dynamic in content and give us options when it came to editing.
We chose to have an early start to prevent to much interference from traffic and passers by. However cars, people, noise etc, were always going to be a hinderence in the type of locations we were filming in.
We have used HD Film tape decks to transpose the film from tape to ones and zeros, and have collated the shots, as a team, that we will run with in the editing process. These tape decks were aesthetically amazing and are great hardware if you use a lot of digital film.
We have also been given a basic tutorial on the fundamentals of Final Cut Pro. A video editing software with a relatively basic interface that appears to work in a similar fashion to any music editing software, main feeds and chained effects etc, however obviously the medium (video) is different.
- Basic video editing
- Transitions
- Filters
- Automation - over time
- Effects
- Video Processors/Generators
- .....
Will be looking at websites such as Prelinger and free-sourced material to practice and hone the techniques and skills required to produce an industry standard piece of work in the future.
Friday, 30 April 2010
Monday, 26 April 2010
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
: Short Film - Transcript 1 - Induction-Team-Focus-Ideas
Initially as a group, we were introduced to some equipment. Tracks, dollies, tripods, "red head" lighting, wiring and its hazards, basic camera set up control and operation.
We were also shown the pleasure of a highly expensive high speed camera and and its associated software. Producing some hilarious yet visually stunning footage.
- I feel i would love to write a short screen or motion to exercise the capability of the camera as its an opportunity that may not ever arise in the future.
2 Min Short film. - 4 week team Project.
This two minute film will be planned, developed, shot edited and finalised by all three of us. - Ken
As this is a team exercise, Ken and I worked together on the last project so we thought it would be apt to take advantage of some certainty and team up again, along with Will. We all work cohesively and methodically, with the same attitude towards the pruposed project which can only work to our advantage.
After a brainstorm - these were the ideas we developed, although many of them didn't go beyond this stage.
Progression"
Focusing on a man's obsession with keeping up to date with the latest technology.
"Slayer"
A dramatic fight of equally skilled opponents as they fight over an online game
"One Liner"
A man who tells the same joke to a various groups of people. The man is a manic depressive.
"Stalker"
A Man is followed by another. The stalker is just trying to return a wallet. Twist...
- Ken
After further discussion, we opted for the stalker idea as it was more easily malleable to the brief. Focusing more on the exploration of technical aspects of film, filming and camera use, shot composition and adaption to location and adapting to the environment.
We were also shown the pleasure of a highly expensive high speed camera and and its associated software. Producing some hilarious yet visually stunning footage.
- I feel i would love to write a short screen or motion to exercise the capability of the camera as its an opportunity that may not ever arise in the future.
2 Min Short film. - 4 week team Project.
This two minute film will be planned, developed, shot edited and finalised by all three of us. - Ken
As this is a team exercise, Ken and I worked together on the last project so we thought it would be apt to take advantage of some certainty and team up again, along with Will. We all work cohesively and methodically, with the same attitude towards the pruposed project which can only work to our advantage.
After a brainstorm - these were the ideas we developed, although many of them didn't go beyond this stage.
Progression"
Focusing on a man's obsession with keeping up to date with the latest technology.
"Slayer"
A dramatic fight of equally skilled opponents as they fight over an online game
"One Liner"
A man who tells the same joke to a various groups of people. The man is a manic depressive.
"Stalker"
A Man is followed by another. The stalker is just trying to return a wallet. Twist...
- Ken
After further discussion, we opted for the stalker idea as it was more easily malleable to the brief. Focusing more on the exploration of technical aspects of film, filming and camera use, shot composition and adaption to location and adapting to the environment.
Monday, 19 April 2010
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Don’t Look Now! Truth, fiction and the art of story-telling.
When describing a narrative, one of the most important aspects is the point of view from which the story is told. Hence, there are two basic forms of narrative. Diegesis implies that there is a personified narrator and mimesis - that a story is told by an omniscient entity.
Another important aspect of a narrative is the mode of time-awareness which listeners are placed.
More specific narrative techniques include:
* False document is a form of narrative that presents a story as a record in some none existant document (diary, letter, video tape, etc.). This is used to create a sense of authenticity beyond the normally expected suspension of disbelief in the reader/audience.
* Frame story is a narrative technique in which a main story is composed, at least in part, for the purpose of organizing a set of shorter stories, each of which is a story within a story. The A-Plot, thus, becomes mere a link between countless subplots, which are then the real focus of the narrative.
* Metafiction is a kind of fiction, which self-consciously addresses the devices of fiction, which means that it deliberately denies the suspension of disbelief for itself.
* Pastiche is a term with a double meaning. On one hand, it may describe a respectful imitation of some other author's style of narrative (as opposed to a parody). On the other, it sometimes stands for a narrative that is "cobbled together" in imitation of several original works.
* Serial is the primary technique used in episodic media (see above). It implies that a story is divided into a number of smaller stories (episodes) but unlike a frame story, a serial may have all episodes bound together into one single A-plot.
* Stream of consciousness is a literary technique, which seeks to describe an individual's point of view by giving the written equivalent of the character's thought processes.
Point of View.
* First-person narrative is a point of view for which the narrator is a part of the story (a character). He or she refers to him-/herself as "I". This is a very common technique since it allows inserting more personal feelings and thoughts into the text than others. On the other hand, it is often incapable of giving an objective view on the story.
* Second-person narrative is a point of view within which the narrator is narrating the story to another character through that character's point of view. This character (likely, a protagonist) is referred as "you".
* Third person limited omniscient is a point of view such that the reader and the writer observe the situation from the outside through the senses and thoughts of a single character, although the focal character may shift throughout the course of any given narrative.
* Omniscient narrator is a point of view similar to third person limited omniscient but unlike it, an omniscient narrator shifts the focal character instantly, without any special events causing the change of the viewpoint.
* Unreliable narrator is a narrator who tells the story from his or her personal point of view but who has flaws or makes mistakes. As a result, such narrator cannot give the entire picture of the story and his or her credibility is often put in question.
Another important aspect of a narrative is the mode of time-awareness which listeners are placed.
More specific narrative techniques include:
* False document is a form of narrative that presents a story as a record in some none existant document (diary, letter, video tape, etc.). This is used to create a sense of authenticity beyond the normally expected suspension of disbelief in the reader/audience.
* Frame story is a narrative technique in which a main story is composed, at least in part, for the purpose of organizing a set of shorter stories, each of which is a story within a story. The A-Plot, thus, becomes mere a link between countless subplots, which are then the real focus of the narrative.
* Metafiction is a kind of fiction, which self-consciously addresses the devices of fiction, which means that it deliberately denies the suspension of disbelief for itself.
* Pastiche is a term with a double meaning. On one hand, it may describe a respectful imitation of some other author's style of narrative (as opposed to a parody). On the other, it sometimes stands for a narrative that is "cobbled together" in imitation of several original works.
* Serial is the primary technique used in episodic media (see above). It implies that a story is divided into a number of smaller stories (episodes) but unlike a frame story, a serial may have all episodes bound together into one single A-plot.
* Stream of consciousness is a literary technique, which seeks to describe an individual's point of view by giving the written equivalent of the character's thought processes.
Point of View.
* First-person narrative is a point of view for which the narrator is a part of the story (a character). He or she refers to him-/herself as "I". This is a very common technique since it allows inserting more personal feelings and thoughts into the text than others. On the other hand, it is often incapable of giving an objective view on the story.
* Second-person narrative is a point of view within which the narrator is narrating the story to another character through that character's point of view. This character (likely, a protagonist) is referred as "you".
* Third person limited omniscient is a point of view such that the reader and the writer observe the situation from the outside through the senses and thoughts of a single character, although the focal character may shift throughout the course of any given narrative.
* Omniscient narrator is a point of view similar to third person limited omniscient but unlike it, an omniscient narrator shifts the focal character instantly, without any special events causing the change of the viewpoint.
* Unreliable narrator is a narrator who tells the story from his or her personal point of view but who has flaws or makes mistakes. As a result, such narrator cannot give the entire picture of the story and his or her credibility is often put in question.
Friday, 2 April 2010
The Hyperreal and Disney
"Maybe a mental catastrophe, a mental implosion and involution without precedence lies in wait for a system of this kind, who's visible signs would be those of this strange obesity, or the incredible co-existence of the most bazarre theories and practices, which correspond to the improbable coalition of luxury, heaven, and money, to the improbable luxurious materialization of life and un-discoverable contradictions."
- Jean Baudrillard
I don't think Disney is there to show America is real, it's there to show the logical extension of fantasy into reality and the impossibility of truth. Based on the fact that the United States is one of the few democracies founded upon an idea, that of the "city on a hill" (John Winthrop) serving as a beacon and almost 'prototype' society this creation of a closed environment where ideas become reality with no reference to their external possibility or probability is just another manifestation of this. Disneyland isn't there to show America its real, its there to show America what it looks like to the rest of the world.
- Jean Baudrillard
I don't think Disney is there to show America is real, it's there to show the logical extension of fantasy into reality and the impossibility of truth. Based on the fact that the United States is one of the few democracies founded upon an idea, that of the "city on a hill" (John Winthrop) serving as a beacon and almost 'prototype' society this creation of a closed environment where ideas become reality with no reference to their external possibility or probability is just another manifestation of this. Disneyland isn't there to show America its real, its there to show America what it looks like to the rest of the world.
Friday, 26 March 2010
3d and the future
3 dimensional viewing has been around for almost 200 years and has long fascinated our imaginations. Discovered by english scientist Charles Meadstone, it was first seen in 1844, a similar time to photography's discovery. In the 1950s 3d became popularsied, even though the technology was still severly naive.
3d is a different, yet not by any means new way of observing free flowing image.
Director James Cameron predicted at the Microsoft's Advance 08 advertising conference, that 3d stereoscopic projector technology in cinema could potentially be the next big wave of novelty in gaming.
"That digital image can be live, that digital image can be 3D. When you are viewing in stereo, which is what we do, more neurons are firing. More blood is pumping through the brain." Cameron added, noting that FPS games in particular stand to benefit....... You are in the game. This is the ultimate immersive media."
Cameron noted that Ubisoft, which is handling game duties for Avatar, already has a stereoscopic game running on Xbox 360 with 3D glasses. But the director says displays for laptops, phones and Zunes can be made to use the 3D tech without even needing special glasses.
"Stereo production is the next big thing. We are born seeing in three dimensions. Most animals have two eyes and not one. There is a reason I think."
Micheal Brook of T3 Magazine also feels like there is a future for 3d technology stating that inside media predicts there will be more than 40 million 3d capable devices in use by 2014. He said
" 3d is going to be huge. We are about to see the first 3d tv's being launched, companies like sky are behind the idea which in turn means it will be good for sport, and in gaming terms companies are already launching graphics cards and 3d supported consoles."
With this positive momentum building and media coverage increasing, its 3ds time to break yet again. Can it make a lasting impact? I dont think so. The technology is no where near developed enough for it to have any longevity. It feels like technology developers have arrived at such an open pallet, they dont know which avenue to pursue. Too many elements to synthesize together.
It feels like 3d technology is just the most readily avaliable and immidiately accesable concept to run with at this point in time.
Having seen a few 3d movies myself, i have always been pleasently suprised by the novelty of the experience. I have never walked out of a picture house and been dissappointed with the visual i have just seen. The movies themselves however, more often than not, have been dia. However, i have never been moved enough to feel like it could be right for a hugely expensive technological voyage of discovery. So far, the ratio of money invested over gains in technological advancements does not show balence. And whats even more frustrating is that 3d will be sensationalized again and will definately, in my opinion, outstay its welcome.
To highlight products being consumer friendly, or not, here is an over expensive, effortlessly novel, eyesore of a toy that will never be integrated to anywhere.
The Virtusphere.
All throughout 3d's history, viewers complained of eye fatigue, headaches and distorted colour. Its also expensive, with cinema tickets costing around 10 pounds, and with the new introduction of 3d tv, these sets will cost anywhere from 1000 dollars upwards, this does not include the prices of glasses and or special screens.
I dont believe 3d will ever have the opportunity to become matured in terms of film etc as it just isnt consumer friendly....(yet), however holographic technology and 3d simulators will always be useful for educational and military purposes.
3d is a different, yet not by any means new way of observing free flowing image.
Director James Cameron predicted at the Microsoft's Advance 08 advertising conference, that 3d stereoscopic projector technology in cinema could potentially be the next big wave of novelty in gaming.
"That digital image can be live, that digital image can be 3D. When you are viewing in stereo, which is what we do, more neurons are firing. More blood is pumping through the brain." Cameron added, noting that FPS games in particular stand to benefit....... You are in the game. This is the ultimate immersive media."
Cameron noted that Ubisoft, which is handling game duties for Avatar, already has a stereoscopic game running on Xbox 360 with 3D glasses. But the director says displays for laptops, phones and Zunes can be made to use the 3D tech without even needing special glasses.
"Stereo production is the next big thing. We are born seeing in three dimensions. Most animals have two eyes and not one. There is a reason I think."
Micheal Brook of T3 Magazine also feels like there is a future for 3d technology stating that inside media predicts there will be more than 40 million 3d capable devices in use by 2014. He said
" 3d is going to be huge. We are about to see the first 3d tv's being launched, companies like sky are behind the idea which in turn means it will be good for sport, and in gaming terms companies are already launching graphics cards and 3d supported consoles."
With this positive momentum building and media coverage increasing, its 3ds time to break yet again. Can it make a lasting impact? I dont think so. The technology is no where near developed enough for it to have any longevity. It feels like technology developers have arrived at such an open pallet, they dont know which avenue to pursue. Too many elements to synthesize together.
It feels like 3d technology is just the most readily avaliable and immidiately accesable concept to run with at this point in time.
Having seen a few 3d movies myself, i have always been pleasently suprised by the novelty of the experience. I have never walked out of a picture house and been dissappointed with the visual i have just seen. The movies themselves however, more often than not, have been dia. However, i have never been moved enough to feel like it could be right for a hugely expensive technological voyage of discovery. So far, the ratio of money invested over gains in technological advancements does not show balence. And whats even more frustrating is that 3d will be sensationalized again and will definately, in my opinion, outstay its welcome.
To highlight products being consumer friendly, or not, here is an over expensive, effortlessly novel, eyesore of a toy that will never be integrated to anywhere.
The Virtusphere.
All throughout 3d's history, viewers complained of eye fatigue, headaches and distorted colour. Its also expensive, with cinema tickets costing around 10 pounds, and with the new introduction of 3d tv, these sets will cost anywhere from 1000 dollars upwards, this does not include the prices of glasses and or special screens.
I dont believe 3d will ever have the opportunity to become matured in terms of film etc as it just isnt consumer friendly....(yet), however holographic technology and 3d simulators will always be useful for educational and military purposes.
Friday, 19 March 2010
Temple Finale'
The temple is just about finished with all constituent parts and characters in place.
Having Walked around the level, it really feels like part of a game, and having 'browsed' second life content generally over the past 10 weeks, i have seen very little that matches what we, and the rest of our class have achieved.
The textures look great, the general ambiance and vibe has continuity through from the original concept even though, due to certain practical applications of theory, a lot has changed from the original idea.
Having Walked around the level, it really feels like part of a game, and having 'browsed' second life content generally over the past 10 weeks, i have seen very little that matches what we, and the rest of our class have achieved.
The textures look great, the general ambiance and vibe has continuity through from the original concept even though, due to certain practical applications of theory, a lot has changed from the original idea.
Monday, 15 March 2010
What is the value of creativity to society?
Society owes its own value entirely to creativity. Creativity's essence stems from the imagination. Every construct or mechanism, physical and or meta-physical, is derived from a singular, child like innocence that wants to play, make and create.
A definition of society.........
1.The condition of those living in companionship with others, or in a community, rather than in isolation.
The invention of society as a construct enabled us to live together with an element decorum and harmony. To create such an encompassing idea required a creative mind(s) with an unimaginably large imagination.
A definition of Creativity........
1.a mental process involving the discovery of new ideas or concepts, or new associations of the existing ideas or concepts, fueled by the process of either conscious or unconscious insight.
Creativity encompasses everything from the big bang, religion, the exploration of outer space, science and high culture through to war and famine, pain and strife.
Creation has provided the very platform from which we attempt understand and investigate its meaning. An infinite quest that fuels the very essence of being.
We owe existence and reality to this mysterious entity. We can only feel and imagine its existence and this is enough to qualify its presence as fact! The most ingeniously creative thing about it is that the power is in the hands of the people.
Creativity has granted the human race the opportunity the be the master of our finite fate.(Ultimate power)
As inoffensively tragic as this statement is, I believe creativity is the essence of all matter and being. Combined with novelty, and time, the creative process is infinite. Everything that exists within our universe (multi-verse or whatever), has been created, or rather creates itself, as it constantly accelerates into novelty.
Creativity then has provided both positive and negative outcomes.
Its constantly propelling us forward to higher thought patterns and more advanced frequencies of conciseness that is enabling to make better more informed decisions, become more efficient at making these decisions and find newer, faster ways to solve problems. In modern day society this would be things such as refining scientific research further using more advanced technologies, more rational and progressive political agenda's within which information flows freely and fairly, the internets global communication and all its constituent adversaries becoming even more integrated.
Creativity is a dangerous force. As mans ego balloons with the fulfillment of being part of and witnessing the creative process over time, the potential to use power to excess, as history has taught us, is all to alluring. World wars, religious feuds etc. The strife in the world stems from ego. One mans imagined universe being different to the other yet both are right, or wrong depending on orientation. This is highly destructive and inefficient. However this is creativity's way of maintaining harmony as an infinite abstract concept..
This is an incredibly hard idea to write about. To pin point any one finite event to illustrate its point does not do its grandeur or meaning justice.
A definition of society.........
1.The condition of those living in companionship with others, or in a community, rather than in isolation.
The invention of society as a construct enabled us to live together with an element decorum and harmony. To create such an encompassing idea required a creative mind(s) with an unimaginably large imagination.
A definition of Creativity........
1.a mental process involving the discovery of new ideas or concepts, or new associations of the existing ideas or concepts, fueled by the process of either conscious or unconscious insight.
Creativity encompasses everything from the big bang, religion, the exploration of outer space, science and high culture through to war and famine, pain and strife.
Creation has provided the very platform from which we attempt understand and investigate its meaning. An infinite quest that fuels the very essence of being.
We owe existence and reality to this mysterious entity. We can only feel and imagine its existence and this is enough to qualify its presence as fact! The most ingeniously creative thing about it is that the power is in the hands of the people.
Creativity has granted the human race the opportunity the be the master of our finite fate.(Ultimate power)
As inoffensively tragic as this statement is, I believe creativity is the essence of all matter and being. Combined with novelty, and time, the creative process is infinite. Everything that exists within our universe (multi-verse or whatever), has been created, or rather creates itself, as it constantly accelerates into novelty.
Creativity then has provided both positive and negative outcomes.
Its constantly propelling us forward to higher thought patterns and more advanced frequencies of conciseness that is enabling to make better more informed decisions, become more efficient at making these decisions and find newer, faster ways to solve problems. In modern day society this would be things such as refining scientific research further using more advanced technologies, more rational and progressive political agenda's within which information flows freely and fairly, the internets global communication and all its constituent adversaries becoming even more integrated.
Creativity is a dangerous force. As mans ego balloons with the fulfillment of being part of and witnessing the creative process over time, the potential to use power to excess, as history has taught us, is all to alluring. World wars, religious feuds etc. The strife in the world stems from ego. One mans imagined universe being different to the other yet both are right, or wrong depending on orientation. This is highly destructive and inefficient. However this is creativity's way of maintaining harmony as an infinite abstract concept..
This is an incredibly hard idea to write about. To pin point any one finite event to illustrate its point does not do its grandeur or meaning justice.
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Uploading sounds to second life
After sending all the noises and sounds through Ableton, they were then ready for Audacity. The purpose of this really was to export the files as .WAV as this is the format that second life recognizes. It was also a necessary stage to make sure the volumes of specific tracks had continuity with others. As all the other editing was done in Ableton, this process was quick and simple.
In second life, there is an opportunity to experiment with simple script and coding. Afew drag and drops of files into the correct content folder and limited output options mean the simpler the better.
Due to restrictions with content between users mean that assigning the sounds to existing objects in the temple was a no go. I therefore decided to create objects, assign them the correct sound and make them invisible. Turning the phantom setting on the objects and placing them within the terrain means they are undetectable to the gamer, yet still create the same illusion.
The drones and reverb really help set the tone of Sunken Temple, however the waterfall sample is still creating issues.
In second life, there is an opportunity to experiment with simple script and coding. Afew drag and drops of files into the correct content folder and limited output options mean the simpler the better.
Due to restrictions with content between users mean that assigning the sounds to existing objects in the temple was a no go. I therefore decided to create objects, assign them the correct sound and make them invisible. Turning the phantom setting on the objects and placing them within the terrain means they are undetectable to the gamer, yet still create the same illusion.
The drones and reverb really help set the tone of Sunken Temple, however the waterfall sample is still creating issues.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Sounds for the Medium Sized creature
The Middle sized creature.
The medium size creature is far more alien and more abstract than the smaller insect, and the noises associated with it i felt should reflect this.
Stranger sounds, more abrasive and disjointed.
I also felt, due probably to its size and stature, that there should be something uncannily human about this character. Breathing of some sort or an element of attempted communication with the player.
There are 3 audio tracks and 3 sounds that comprise this creatures howls.
There is a wet sounding pitter patter that provides the characters sound for movement.
For track one, i used a similar method to before. Used reduced percussion hits combined with delay, however this time added a flanger effect to add more dynamic. I felt this creature required a wetter, more squelchy sound, purely based on his aesthetic. This would also differentiate it away from the smaller, insect like creature.
Track two, was comprised of sounds off a Juno G synthesizer. The sounds were taken from the world instruments section and sent through a frequency shifter.
The third track was some of the static i used in a drone for the ambiance in the room. Needed just one final bit of textured, and i thought for continuity, i would use a familiar sound but effect it differently.
I cant say however that the sound for this creature weren't at all controlled. They were achieved out of pure experimentation/trial and error.
The medium size creature is far more alien and more abstract than the smaller insect, and the noises associated with it i felt should reflect this.
Stranger sounds, more abrasive and disjointed.
I also felt, due probably to its size and stature, that there should be something uncannily human about this character. Breathing of some sort or an element of attempted communication with the player.
There are 3 audio tracks and 3 sounds that comprise this creatures howls.
There is a wet sounding pitter patter that provides the characters sound for movement.
For track one, i used a similar method to before. Used reduced percussion hits combined with delay, however this time added a flanger effect to add more dynamic. I felt this creature required a wetter, more squelchy sound, purely based on his aesthetic. This would also differentiate it away from the smaller, insect like creature.
Track two, was comprised of sounds off a Juno G synthesizer. The sounds were taken from the world instruments section and sent through a frequency shifter.
The third track was some of the static i used in a drone for the ambiance in the room. Needed just one final bit of textured, and i thought for continuity, i would use a familiar sound but effect it differently.
I cant say however that the sound for this creature weren't at all controlled. They were achieved out of pure experimentation/trial and error.
Monday, 8 March 2010
Sounds for the small creature
The Small Creature.
This being a small insect like creature, with multiple legs and wings, it was decided that it should make clicky scuttling sounds. (an abrasive pitter patter).
To achieve this result, i firstly got some percussive hits, mainly kick drums as they are easy to work with, out of the Ableton instruments section, and using a reductive process shortened hits to 1/4 of the length. Repeating this across 3 different sounds gave the variety in tone. This provided the scuttling sound.
Delays and reverb were added as effects. As its set in a sunken temple, echos and repeats were essential to give it an enclosed underground feel, and also aid the ominous suspense of the environment.
This being a small insect like creature, with multiple legs and wings, it was decided that it should make clicky scuttling sounds. (an abrasive pitter patter).
To achieve this result, i firstly got some percussive hits, mainly kick drums as they are easy to work with, out of the Ableton instruments section, and using a reductive process shortened hits to 1/4 of the length. Repeating this across 3 different sounds gave the variety in tone. This provided the scuttling sound.
Delays and reverb were added as effects. As its set in a sunken temple, echos and repeats were essential to give it an enclosed underground feel, and also aid the ominous suspense of the environment.
Sunday, 7 March 2010
Ableton - temple ambiance
Ableton is a user friendly music suite that handles everything from live sound to production. Ive been using this software for a few years now and feel comfortable in knowing i can achieve the desired results.
In collecting samples initially, the framework was in place to begin the creation of our own sounds, one shots and drones. All bought forward through the initial research into 30's horror, looking at adventure games such as Tomb Raider and Indiana Jones, and also, most importantly, looking at the set mark designed and the creatures Ken has invented, creating/assigning them sounds that fit their aesthetic and desired demeanor.
The Environment.
The First Obvious sound to accompany the visual of the temple is running water.
For this the bbc sound effects library is ideal. This is the only sound that will be taken directly from external sources and used in the Game. Using a sample in this manner saves so much time. The idea of setting up a field recording or emulating running water is slightly unreasonable due to time constraints. Also running water is a universal sound and does not need and manipulation to achieve the result needed.
This will be the main ambiance in the room.
The second ambient texture will be a low volume spectral drone. Using a Roland Juno G synthesizer, notes and tones are played in, assigned effects and layered over one another to create a rich and textured sound. I have created 4 different drones for the team to choose from.
The drone will emanate from the central alter of the temple, specifically the emerald that the alter and monsters protect.
This will hopefully mean that sounds help guide the participant through the temple, like using an 'audio map.'
The 3d spatial sound script in second life means this is easily achievable and will hopefully set an ominous suspense within the temple.
These grabs illustrate the construction of one textured drone, the wave form of the audio, and then in the arrange view what the full sound is comprised of.
In collecting samples initially, the framework was in place to begin the creation of our own sounds, one shots and drones. All bought forward through the initial research into 30's horror, looking at adventure games such as Tomb Raider and Indiana Jones, and also, most importantly, looking at the set mark designed and the creatures Ken has invented, creating/assigning them sounds that fit their aesthetic and desired demeanor.
The Environment.
The First Obvious sound to accompany the visual of the temple is running water.
For this the bbc sound effects library is ideal. This is the only sound that will be taken directly from external sources and used in the Game. Using a sample in this manner saves so much time. The idea of setting up a field recording or emulating running water is slightly unreasonable due to time constraints. Also running water is a universal sound and does not need and manipulation to achieve the result needed.
This will be the main ambiance in the room.
The second ambient texture will be a low volume spectral drone. Using a Roland Juno G synthesizer, notes and tones are played in, assigned effects and layered over one another to create a rich and textured sound. I have created 4 different drones for the team to choose from.
The drone will emanate from the central alter of the temple, specifically the emerald that the alter and monsters protect.
This will hopefully mean that sounds help guide the participant through the temple, like using an 'audio map.'
The 3d spatial sound script in second life means this is easily achievable and will hopefully set an ominous suspense within the temple.
These grabs illustrate the construction of one textured drone, the wave form of the audio, and then in the arrange view what the full sound is comprised of.
Saturday, 6 March 2010
Foreward - Sounds
After spending time searching for sounds, i came across a couple of good sites containing royalty free samples and raw material.
www.findsounds.com
www.freesound.org
www.archive.com/details/prelinger
These have been very useful for finding one shots and some obscure sounds and have been a perfect starting point for research into the sort of sounds i will create.
I will also be using a few bits from the BBC sound effects library which is also great for atmospheres and background.
I will be using Ableton to create sound as its software i am familiar with, however having been shown Audacity (freeware) i feel this will speed efficiency when it comes to cutting the samples up and exporting to Second Life as its a simple, concise interface, reducing the temptation to get distracted by further experimentation at this stage in the process.
www.findsounds.com
www.freesound.org
www.archive.com/details/prelinger
These have been very useful for finding one shots and some obscure sounds and have been a perfect starting point for research into the sort of sounds i will create.
I will also be using a few bits from the BBC sound effects library which is also great for atmospheres and background.
I will be using Ableton to create sound as its software i am familiar with, however having been shown Audacity (freeware) i feel this will speed efficiency when it comes to cutting the samples up and exporting to Second Life as its a simple, concise interface, reducing the temptation to get distracted by further experimentation at this stage in the process.
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Monday, 22 February 2010
Intrerim crit - Sunken Temple
Our teams crit has been the first consolidation of initial ideas.
Mark has been taking care of concept art and visualizing his vision of the sunken temple. Inspired by Lovecraft, he as managed to transform our temple into something unique and heavily stylized.
Moodboard...... Mark
Concept art - Mark
Ken has been designing the characters and creatures of the temple. Using a drawing tablet and Photoshop, he has created 2 of the 'monsters' that will haunt the temple. Again highly stylized.
Ken - concepts
The initial ideas for sound have come from a basis of 30's cinema, sharp abrasive strings juxtaposed against ambient spectral drones. The drones ideally to emanate from the central part of the temple, and using Second life's '3d spatial sound' have the sound associated with the creatures come directionally.
Foundations in place, now we can begin exploring and experimenting in second life.
Mark has been taking care of concept art and visualizing his vision of the sunken temple. Inspired by Lovecraft, he as managed to transform our temple into something unique and heavily stylized.
Moodboard...... Mark
Concept art - Mark
Ken has been designing the characters and creatures of the temple. Using a drawing tablet and Photoshop, he has created 2 of the 'monsters' that will haunt the temple. Again highly stylized.
Ken - concepts
The initial ideas for sound have come from a basis of 30's cinema, sharp abrasive strings juxtaposed against ambient spectral drones. The drones ideally to emanate from the central part of the temple, and using Second life's '3d spatial sound' have the sound associated with the creatures come directionally.
Foundations in place, now we can begin exploring and experimenting in second life.
Second Life introduction
Second life is the platform being used to create our game art.
Building and creating with highly simplified polygons means it is easier to realize concepts and artistic vision using a program like Second Life than it ever would be in 3ds max or Maya.
Maya however will still be used as a tool if/as and when detailed elements that cannot be achieved using the Second Life engine.
Screen shots of my avatar and of the College of art island where our Sunken Temple will be constructed.
This style of internet gaming really does not appeal to me. After a few days i still fail to see any practical application. However for this exercise in simple game creation it feels like an ideal place to start.
Building and creating with highly simplified polygons means it is easier to realize concepts and artistic vision using a program like Second Life than it ever would be in 3ds max or Maya.
Maya however will still be used as a tool if/as and when detailed elements that cannot be achieved using the Second Life engine.
Screen shots of my avatar and of the College of art island where our Sunken Temple will be constructed.
This style of internet gaming really does not appeal to me. After a few days i still fail to see any practical application. However for this exercise in simple game creation it feels like an ideal place to start.
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)