software * softbrain * softcell

Papervision3D, FlARToolkit, Blender, Poser, Maya, AfterEffects, what owhat to sue.  Think I am honing in on it now – this weekend, maybe tonight is D-Day.  I need to research, nail the software, and stick with it – wherever it may take me!  Fear of making the wrong decision and spending weeks on software that won’t give me what I need, has led to this indecision and delay, and now, I think it’s time to just get on with it on something / anything, and then leave it in the lap of the gods, and just see where it takes me – flexibility is key here now.

Want to get a storyboard up shortly, and more annoying indulgent videoblogs!! ; )

Machinima Futurista

‘Really like this in parts – but more-so towards the end.

Machinima (pronounced /məˈʃiːnɨmə/ or /məˈʃɪnɨmə/) is the use of real-time three-dimensional (3-D) graphics rendering engines to generate computer animation. The term also refers to works that incorporate this animation technique. Machinima-based artists, sometimes called machinimists or machinimators, are fan laborers and often use graphics engines from video games, a practice that arose from the animated software introductions of the 1980s demoscene, Disney Interactive Studios‘ 1992 video game Stunt Island, and 1990s recordings of gameplay in first-person shooter (FPS) video games, such as id Software’s Doom and Quake. Originally, these recordings documented speedruns—attempts to complete a level as quickly as possible—and multiplayer matches. The addition of storylines to these films created “Quake movies”. The more general term machinima, a misspelled portmanteau of machine cinema, arose when the concept spread beyond the Quake series to other games and software. After this generalization, machinima appeared in mainstream media, including television series and advertisements.

Machinima has advantages and disadvantages when compared to other styles of filmmaking. Its relative simplicity over traditional frame-based animation limits control and range of expression. Its real-time nature favors speed, cost saving, and flexibility over the higher quality of pre-rendered computer animation. Virtual acting is less expensive, dangerous, and physically restricted than live action. Machinima can be filmed by relying on in-game artificial intelligence (AI) or by controlling characters and cameras through digital puppetry. Scenes can be precisely scripted, and can be manipulated during post-production using video editing techniques. Editing, custom software, and creative cinematography may address technical limitations. Game companies have provided software for and have encouraged machinima, but the widespread use of digital assets from copyrighted games has resulted in complex, unresolved legal issues.        

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machinima, accessed 29/01/10

INstallation Diag#1

This is a very rough, very basic diagram of how I would ideally like the installation, but I am pretty sure now that there won’t be enough room at Wilson Road, so…. do I attempt this in another location and video it, or do I just stick with the PC based idea (which will run  from the website), therefor negating the need for space?  Hmmmm….

Sprite#1

‘Took the original sketches and edited in PhotoShop.  Considering using these at some point in the website.  I have just been given some new brushes for PhotoShop - one of which gives a smoke effect – so that might come in quite useful – wispy, ethereal type characters.  On reflection, I think they need to be more abstract, maybe even only slightly visible against a background…

I am trying to get a feel for the type of doll/puppet (this is what I’m calling my Augment Reality models now!) for the project: 

Will they be human-esque or sprite-esque?  One or many? 

I need to get started on producing dummy versions just to iron out any tech hiccups which may occur. 

Self-ish

 

Words taken from a previous post – automatic writing, ‘trying to get to the root/the soul of the project.  I started reading more around identity and the self at this time, in order to better inform my work, and hopefully help produce some mre imagery/visuals.

Live ….On….Video!

 

I was playing around with sketches for ideas for the website characters.   The sketches were made intending to scan into PhostoShop for editing and then Flash for animating.  ‘Don’t think I will be using these in the end result, but I actually like the video of the creative process!  It’s weird watching as an observer!

Real ARtists love Real ARt

Just thinking today and last night about ARt and the whole creative process of making ARt.  What makes the art REAL AEt?  When does it move from GCSE level ARt to REAL ARt?  When do you know you are an artist, a REAL artist?  When is it art and when is it (just?) graphic design?  When do you charge £40 for a portrait, then £4000 for a piece of work?  How do you price it?  In hours? In pain? 

I was thinking about some of my ‘peers’ – some have such wonderful self-c0nfidence in themselves and the work they produce.  Where does this come from?  Are they born with this confidence?  Does it come naturally?  Is it growing, with every compliment and carefully chosen word of praise?  Is it growing from their own belief? 

I’d like a chunk of that confidence.  I think I would rather show my ‘work’ anonymously, hiding behined a curtain (like the Wizard of Oz), listening out to comments, to see what the ‘public’ really think of it.   And then there’s the public – who are they?  People who frequent art galleries?  People who read the Daily Mirror?  People at the bus stop?

As an ARtist, I should be researching other artists, see what’s happening out there in the ARtWorld.  But I was always impressed with those rare musicians, who, upon the release of a wonderful concept album, would announce that they had locked themselves away in some studio in some dreamy location, and didn’t listen to the radio or watch TV for two years…

No such thing as a virgin text ya know… hmmm – I’m never wholly convinced on that one – I think there is a get out clause waiting to be written or drawn…

So if it’s worth a lot of money, is it really worth a lot?  Is that the aim?  Not the purpose, maybe, but if successful = good, and good = £££, then to be successful = to earn/charge £££.

So why am I in it? 

For the praise? – A little,

For the money? Not really (can’t wholly say no, as it would always be nice to earn money from artwork I made, but it is not why),

For self-pride? – Possibly (pride comes before a fall…)

For enjoyment, to challenge the creative demons – most definately – to free those demons, locked up for 15 years of working, toil and strife….

Replies to my post: Real ARtists love Real ARt

I had some great feedback/comments on my psot ‘Real ARtists love Real ARt’:

Jenni:  

Comment to Anna’s blog post

December 5, 2009 by lumiereproject

Anna was wondering that how some of seem to be very confident about showing out own work, and where the confidence comes from.

From my own point of view I think that the most important thing has been the feedback received during my studies etc. I remember when I had started my BA and was presenting my first photo project in front of the class I was shaking. It was a very strong, very personal project. I almost lost my voice as I spoke. But the feedback was really good and made me believe in my self. I think I know by now when I do something good, something ok, or something bad. But it is important to believe in yourself, who you are, what you want to create and put your own mark on it. Be yourself and be unique. Take risks and be aware of failing at times too, but learn from that.

annaleiza Says:
December 5, 2009 at 3:09 pm | Reply I like that – I think feedback is important – and can build confidence in your work. I really think self-belief has a lot to do with it too. Thanks Jenni!

• lumiereproject Says:
  December 5, 2009 at 5:25 pm | Reply Thank you Leiza for bringin the subject up. It’s an important one!

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Rabhia :   (Not sure if this was in response, but it certainly fits well with the topic)

Impossible Ideas

December 4, 2009 — cloudseeker

As artists -

we believe in the impossible ideas-

Even , if it seems un-achieveable,

Self belief  is the only answer -

But also, a little money also help.

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Susan:

Dear Anna,

read your weblog about confidence this week end. 

Just wanted to say that I think we all feel like that somewhere, sometime with the course.

I am waiting for Andy to say that my work has been so bad since coming back that I haven’t made up the extra credits I needed. Partly think that’s why my student tab on pronto is empty… he’s read the essay and is chucking me out!  

Hope its ok to email this and that by the time the assessments are handed in we can  stop and draw breath and get back to enjoying our course again!

Susan

From: Anna-Leiza Barthorpe <witchileiz@hotmail.com>
To: susan mortimer <susanmortimer@btinternet.com>
Sent: Sunday, 6 December, 2009 18:48:37
Subject: RE: weblog

Hi Susan
 
Thanks for emailing re the post.  I am now worrying that everyone thinks I’m a dangerously shy introvert!! (Which I’m not!)  Reflecting, I think my lack of confidence with peers is more to do with not taking an Art degree as such – I did a combined studies degree in English Studies and the Arts – which allowed me to experience a huge array of art-based subjects, but I did not get the experience of showing to fellow art students, and presenting in that kind of atmosphere.
 
Anyway, thanks so much for taking the time to email!  And please don’t worry about your work – you are doing a fantastic job!  I know it’s not easy with a family, etc., is it?  I can’t remember how to invite/add a new classmate on pronto again – will try and do it for you beofre Tuesday – though you are still on contacts tab.
 
I’ve been looking around to see how everyone is getting on with the Unit 1 Assessment, and am getting a little nervous as quite a few haven’t posted it yet!  I’m not sure I’m putting things in the correct places, but am basically going with the rule that if I put in more rather than less, then some of it must hit the mark!
 
How you getting on with it?  Do you still have to do it, or did you finish Unit 1 already?
 
OK, thanks again Susan – you’re a star! 
 
Leiza x

Dear Leiza,

No you don’t come over shy or introverted at all! Your weblog is always great to read and full of interesting stuff. Remember reading it before starting with the group and thinking wow you were one of the ones to watch.

 Wasn’t too sure about what we needed to post, so did the learning outcomes write up with links, but not categories like some have. Got tremendously confused as was doing the essay and Andy kept changing what he said I needed to do…. I did complete unit one and some of  unit 2… but there was as well as a unit 3. So I need to make up around 70 credits to complete this unit one now… so how that happens in 4 months? 

Its not easy doing this course with a family, so I really root for you and Jenni and Hassen, though it seems everyone is making huge commitments to do the course. It is really something to be able to share the course with committed people.

Hope its all good there,

Susan x

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IN stallation

I have been working on/dreaming up ideas for my final project.  I love the idea of the augmented reality 3d figures – as an option on the website – where the user can print out a sheet of marked paper, place it on their physical desktop, where (once they have allowed their webcam access), a 3d figure will appear on their physical desktop (viewed on the monitor) as if in reality, shown on their computer screen, whilst they look on in the background.

BUT… I am thinking it would be such a shame not to take advantage of the space at Wilson Road and show this also as an installation.  I imagine  a room, where the viewer walks in and behind them is a large projection of the animated movie (as in the website), before the viewer would be another projected screen, and at the top of this screen, a webcam/camera focussed on the viewer.  ON the ground would be certain marked patterns.  These patterns would act as marker symbols for the 3d images.  So… the viewer would see in front – herself, surrounded by 3D moving (animated) images, with the projected movie running as a scene behind her.

I am not sure if I am describing/explaining this well enough – I am not certain of the terminology yet, but I am hugely excited by this idea!

This would fit my proposal exactly, and I am hoping it won’t be too much of a brain-twist to do this either (see my earlier comments on the technology being foregrounded rather the artwork, and spending too much time on the technical and so missing out on the creative).

I have started working on 3d models recently – just need to ensure they can be output/exported into the correct extension to work with the code/software I found.  I really didn’t have the time to learn how to code, etc from scratch, so I am hoping this is the answer to my prayers, and I feel it is a much better fit than my original markerless facial tracking idea.

I want to start working on the website movie now – I want it to be an atmospheric, ethereal experience, and so am looking at After Effects here, and looking at researching other artists and the work they have done which may have a similar style.

Lots of work to do – but I finally feel like something concrete is in place now.  Now I can run with it!

Re: Timetable

It has been so hard to follow the timetable, although the second one was a lot more realistic.   Work, family and just life in general, all add to the stress of  trying to juggle time.  There have been many fights over time requirements/commitments in my home.  But, as I observe my peers’ blogs – I see that I am not alone, in fact – it seems to be the norm.  As always in my life, I seem to be attempting to ‘get my house in order’ at the eleventh hour – but the timetable did act as a kind of Governer hanging over me – reminding me that this was time I expected to devote to the project.  Often, I would find myself annoyed at (what felt like) the intrusion of extra tasks, presentations, etc., when all I really wanted was to get on with the project (of course, I understand these ‘intrusive tasks’ are acutally essential parts of the MA, but at the time…).  Due to the above mentioned pressures, plus having a mid-course crisis and changing direction in the project, I feel quite a long way behind now, but have confidence I will catch up.

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