Its An Honour

Presentation

2010-05-11T17:26:00.000-07:00

This year I have decided to take my presentations to the next level.

This year I have made a short 18:10 film with audio commentary and backing music. the reasoning being this is to further my skills and identify new ways to approach presentations of my material. The film consists of my project journey as a whole but also in a condensed version as is expected in a max 20 minute presentation.

It goes into research, conception, development, creation, implementation, testing and analyses. I left the theories of my conclusions out purposefully so the lecturers had something to ask me at the end - showing that if they are aware I did not cover it and also just to see if I peaked their interest.

What I did not cover in length was the outside project work and only mentioned a few in passing, these however were one of my greatest research chances of this year. I delved into different areas of audio design rather than just film sound effects which I chose because it is a weakness of mine and it is my last year here. This is when I get to do what ever I want.

Also one last thing I did not mention in the presentation is the future because im so unsure about it all. My experience kees growing but I still feel I need training in music thoery and composition - I have checked the musical universities and I do not quite reach the entry level yet, or worse Im too late to apply.

Planning for a future you are so uncenrtain about is hard, I have no doubt though it will be an interesting one.

Reflective part 4

2010-05-09T08:33:00.001-07:00

Heylo again

The tests continued on the 15th march and as such it was intended after that test the video would be altered to factor in the results of the blinking and emotional responses to create another Version, one which I knew the outcome would be before I tested it then by testing that I would get clear evidence If I had learned how to manipulate sound effects to change the viewers perception.

However the intial tests failed and so it had to be rebooked 2 weeks later in which only 2 films were tester and the video footage was unusable. The questionnaire results however were still of value and I did use them to change the next questionnaire again to improve it and also pulle dout some jusdgements about the test already which was that the hypereal testers were similarly opinionated to the realism testers but more diverse in there answers and mulitple choices, asnwering more than once per question usually.

The test was thought over again and it was decided to go to the backup plan which was whitespace mac testign which turned otu to be the best option in the end with clear video footage. I used the same headphones and mac in every test making sure i had as few variables as could be but missed an important one which was one tester was ill, the test results for that tester were very different - which proved in his state of illness he blinked more than the healthy subjects.

This test was analysed later on and data like blink times, mouth movements, eyebrow raises etc for later review as this part of the test is only about blinking. The results were graphed and put into visual form to easily understand.

This was then matched with the questionaire results which did not show the same cohesion at the hyperreal side of the scale but showed a different side. This result showed that th eminimalsit style had very definitive results on the views of the testers where as it became very undefinied between testers what their views where on it. Overall it seems that consciously more sound effects than less gave a wider scope of interpretation to that particular film where as with unconsciously it seems to be the case that the more sound effects you add the more in balance you become in terms of blinking.

I have made speculations on why this might have happened and one is in speculation is much like the sample rate of audio, the lower the sample rate the wider the gap between sample points and few sample points, this being similar to the minimalism film. This links to the answers being more defined but the blink rate was very wide apart and blink convergence few. Similarly with increasing the sample rate on audio the narrower the gap between sample points but there obviously being more of them, this being true again with the hyperrealism film where the view points of the testers were wide apart but the blink rate meeting a similar point in each subject with a much higher convergence of blink points. This means a very interesting development in understanding how the brain processes information and is not hard to believe as the way that the brain processes audio is not fully understood.

As for the relective writting this is at a close, while for the future who knows if we will have blink recognition phones and such.

Reflective part 3

2010-05-04T17:09:00.000-07:00

Heylo again

What I intended to do after completing the 3 variations of the Film was to contemplate a testing method, now in the development of the 3 film is did indeed research into the UK Film Associations and ask there advice on how they tested Films and also on Film and sound forums however it was a fruitless effort as a game of pass the parcel began which every time was passed on and got no nearer an answer.

Likewise in the forums I was shunned and only asked for directions to where to find answers - after all the Internet; the place to share information, obviously I was mistaken. The search led me onto more dynamic areas looking at other students work and projects involving Film testing which had more promising aspects in which I found out mostly screenings and questionnaires where used with mostly positive and useful information gathered.

Delving into the creation of my questionnaire I considered qualitative and quantitative questions and scoring systems, what originally came up with was a purely qualitative questionnaire for which was preparing to test itself once I had found another element to my testing. This next element was found accidentally ( again with accidents ) in a random assumption that blinking could maybe be affected by audio. Backed by my supervisor the research on this led to Walter murch's book 'In the blink of an eye' which was recently overlooked because I believed it was only about Film and not specified on audio.

To my surprise it was very enlightening albeit short on the subject of blinking and visual, but in one instance he mentions possibly not by intent of a sonically proven way blinking is affected by audio intake, not effects but vocals. He says

" Start a conversation with somebody and watch when they blink. I believe you will find that you listener will blink at the precise moment he or she 'gets' the idea of what your saying, not an instant earlier or later."

This lead me to believe that If I was too capture the viewers as they watched I could match up the blinking of each subject in each film and see if there was a connection.The initial test proceeded shortly after this.

The test was conducted at a friends apartment and captured using a hand held camera and shown on a laptop, the quality of the results from both tests where very useful in developing my testing methods. With the results of the questionnaire especially I re evaluated my test and submitted it to a lecturers approval and after such modified it again with both qualitative and quantitative questions and making sure multiple choice questions where used instead of open answers apart from a few questions which needed to be open.

The Video test was also useful in detecting blink points and notably other variables like eyebrow movements and rapid blink and any mouth movement like smiling. At last something had come together to use to test whether the sound effects had an effect on these. Hence the test was then approved by the supervisor and bookings were made at the university cinema and cameras were hired as well.

However this was not by any means the final chapter of the project. More next time

Reflective part 2

2010-05-02T05:09:00.000-07:00

Heylo again

Where I stopped in the first part was sound design history on film sound effects, where we go now is onto the second film design. As I stated many times in all my documents this project tries to identify what happens when we increment the sound effects so each previous film must have the elements of the one preceding it. So with that in mind I layered the first film track into the second mix and began to now establish the realism.

What was done was playing the movie over and over picking out what was thought needed a sound to establish a comfortable sonic environment where people would feel comfortable listening to and not question the amount in place. This stage's sound effects list was more dynamic than the first so new material had to be sourced which came from more worldly objects like sizzling pans, door slams, creaking windows, and much more etc. Not all of these were used of course and some effects where sought elsewhere like in Reason, Kontakt and edited in an experimental fashion in Audactiy and Soundforge.

What went on in terms of research was into Film shot styles and the sound effects they carried with them. This topic was seen as a doable task at first to create a chart showing all possibilities but that however proved to be a project in its own and would be an interesting one to do. However lots of films were researched to acquire a knowledge of what goes into each type of shot and some trends did arise like in ECU ( extreme close up) shots in situations like a gun shot added with a slow motion effect the results where nearly the same every time. The shot was the only or the main with exception to distorted Foley to establish the slow motion existed and was filtered with delay or reverb usually to add sustaining relevance, I assume but also if the shot was played at the same speed of the film the sound would be very bassy and what the engineers try to do is create a different representation for slow sound.

Gears began turning to find out how you could portray something within trying to keep it real but seeming hyper real and also what was the difference. I assume most people have never been shot at but it was found out that whizzes in films from bullets don't actually make that noise with modern rifles as the bullets are too fast. Now this made me think very hard on what I put in the realism film, everything I put in was in attempts to create that "its real" effect.

Completing the realism film was difficult, not too get too carried away with adding sounds and not to leave too much out, as with most realism films, not everything has a sonic signature attached to it, only the most important sounds to establish what i call, an object, setting and motive.

Implementing the sound effects into the hyper realism film felt easier with the creative scope unleashed - however I did not want to go too far from the theme I was building up from the first 2 films, then the testing would be against 3 films where one was was completely a different take altogether if I allowed myself to do so. Even though there were restraints it was still fun to play around with more sound effects experimenting and even coming up with accidents more often than not just like when I recorded accidentally from my pocket when I went shopping and came back and edited it and is now in the film :)

What my main focus was to emphasis the motif I had already in place and just layered on more effects to that effect, emphasising new areas not done in the previous films and even adding a slightly new take on some bit like the buildings appearing in the rain after the other city was destroyed.

that is all for today on this Honours Project reflection.

Reflective part 1

2010-04-30T04:56:00.000-07:00

The tests have been complete and the draft dissertation submitted so what I would like to do here is a bit of reflective writing and go into more detail on what I did over the last 4 months.

To begin, what is in the Blog is not a full disclosure of what actually happened, just a condensed version for people to see progress.

The choosing of the film took many weeks and it was only after the 9th week of term that I had agreed on the topic to do the project on - I originally started with spiders and motion sensors for games controllers trying to create new and improved game mechanics. Once I had the film - Urban Abstract - I began to ponder just how to design it sonically, I chose this because of many factors, one; it was a completely CG piece, two; it had universal relavence to what was happening today, three; it had a lot of rain aspects which I have often pondered about in relation to the mothers "Shh" when she tries to calm her baby seeming similar to the rain noise which relaxes me.

The start of the project My initial methodology of working was to collect samples, keeping in mind the design I had already portrayed in my cue sheet that was submitted last term. I initially wanted real world sounds to build a base from so, cars and streets where my first point of call, this would become the minimalist foundation forthe films. The ideas was to create films in line with previous films of minimalist, realist and hyperrealist styles.

I sampled areas from Dundee st in Edinburgh as well as the dual carriageway in Dundee to get my samples - for the bike however I acquired that online. The results where applicable at first but there was something missing, so I began taking recordings of ambiance in the Overgate shopping centre and also train stations which made the mix much more diverse.

The rain which is the big key feature in this project was difficult to get as it was not particularly that type of weather but I did manage to sample from whitespace when the rain cascaded down the open hole and it hit the polythene which was perfect as the impacts where clearly recorded.

On my frequent trips to Edinburgh and recording all the way I also caught the chance of a downpour and recorded pipes that water spilled out of, the cars again but with obviously splashing of the tyres as they rolled on the wet road which was not used a lot in the end because at the points of rain there was no need for the sound of cars are can be heard when watching the film.

however it was used at one point where it seemed to create a nice transition landscape to rain while still holding the illusion of urban ism. I pause only now to mention that every recording I did was with my Tascam DR-07 as I wanted continuity about my work except from the sourced material which could not be helped.

Continuing my search for the base for the minimalist film which is how I wanted to create it minimalist to hyper realism and using each previous sound layer in the preceding one. In doing this I maintain my argument of incrementing sound effects. Once I had the ambiance I now turned my skills to making synthesised Ambiance which were constructed by manipulating all my previous project recordings and synthesised samples that I made.

This took nearly as long to do as the hunt for all the ambiance as the scope of what I wanted to hear the film sound like and what actually happened because of random experimentation was vast. the details of such experiments are too many to explain but suffice to say reversing samples with EQ cuts and filters made the most interesting sound that were not too over processed.

As this was going on I went into researching traditional methods of recording and creating sound effects and seeing the contemporary ways - my feelings on this is that there is not a distinct line between the two but if I had to choose I would say the musique concrete movement would be the turning point from where sound design was no longer about recording what the object you wanted as sound for, but more of finding smoothing that sounded similar from other material.

This research piece was very interesting finding out the history and methodology of sound designers and what caught my eye, which i have found very true, is that most say the best sounds come from accidents and to always experiment.

that is all for today on this Honours Project reflection.

Week 16

2010-04-27T07:45:00.000-07:00

End of Week 16

# What was your plan for this week?

Perform final test, complete degree shwo plinth and continue on dissertation

# What did you actually do this week?

I did exactly what I set out to do and also reviewed the video data on the test subjects

# If there are any differences between items 1 & 2, please explain why.

none

# What worked well this week?

Everythign worked well this week and lots of plans came together finally. The plinth is finished but in terms of the design i am still nervous about it as some of it seems 'tacky' - I will confer with my supervisor.

Also the testing went really well

# What did not work so well this week?

some bits of the test could have been better, one subject was ill and therfore had an unusual test result and also the film jittered a little. Aside from that nothign else seemed to go terribly wrong.

# What have you learned this week?

that for one of my intended projects " can audio accompanyment change the perception of a painting/image" could have been done IF I had painted the images myself which Kenny failed to mention when I was discussing options.

# Describe all the items that have been added to your portfolio this week?

6 video recordings of the testers + questionaires, images of the plinth in making and the dissertation update

# Do you have any other comments to make?

I recently entered the Eighth International Competition for Composers so wish me luck :) and also Im having a really nice day today - note to self 27/4 - good day.

Hope to have completed the dissertation draft by friday so I can bring it to the supervisor meeting and give him a hard copy to read on the train.

Also here is the plinth images:

Week 15

2010-04-19T18:53:00.002-07:00

End of Week 15

# What was your plan for this week?

Continue dissertation, create and paint mock up plinth and to assess new testing parameters

# What did you actually do this week?

Created a design for the plinth which has been cut up and now painted black, new testing is going to be at whitespace with a few confirmed members on next Wednesday. Dissertation continues as normal.

# If there are any differences between items 1 & 2, please explain why.

no deviations except I expected to be writing evaluations by now from the collected data which I am in a small way but it is not complete yet. Due to unforeseen circumstances I have had to keep pushing my evaluations back and keep re testing the material and my testing methods.

# What worked well this week?

The plinth for the end of year showcase is looking better now that I can actually see it and hold it. the dissertation is also progressing smoothly and I foresee no problems with its completion in a few weeks.

Also during the creation of the submission for the show reel team ( my team ) I figured out how to use the best quality render of the film and my audio which vastly overshadows my present testing material and so have replaced it :)

# What did not work so well this week?

I was called away on a small emergency during the week in which I could not work on my project for a number of days.

# What have you learned this week?

That in the realms of music you really have to dig far back into the past to see real composition, as most of today's stuff seems piggybacked off of them. Invested in some classic composition Cd's and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

# Describe all the items that have been added to your portfolio this week?

New testing and final submission Films, Show reel submission, dissertation in the making and plinth ( though unable to hand in the actual object some images should suffice)

# Do you have any other comments to make?

Wet paint; is paint ever considered to be called paint more in one state than the other? water has 3 states although to argue water has one state - liquid, and is called steam in a gas state and ice in its frozen state.

So I ask why is paint still paint in both liquid applicable form and rendered solid state form? wet paint, dry paint, why not call one state paint and the other a new name?

Anyways, slightly off topic.

Why is churning out 1000's of songs made from 1000's of sample Cd's considered good composing? one, it shows a little idiocy on their part by not having the mind to think if the person needing that audio has the time to even listen to it all! and two is that composing at all or just beat slicing and drag and drop sequencing? and is that the real world, give the work to the guy who can put together the samples the fastest?

Do I dare look to see.

Week 15

2010-04-19T18:53:00.001-07:00

End of Week 15

# What was your plan for this week?

New plan: an extension of the old plan which is to continue to seek testing methods and to continue to test in the HMC. Start the dissertation, also to conclude evidence results of some of the previous tests.

# What did you actually do this week?

I did exactly that and also sketched up some plinth designs for the end of year showcase - which will be shown to Kieth; the DIY man for the job tomorrow

# If there are any differences between items 1 & 2, please explain why.

The only difference is the deviation from the original plan as I assumed students would be more co operative but just aren't, also in respect to B.2 and B.3 it was discovered that my task was far too broad and a project in its own as the variables discovered herein where too much to put into a simple diagram with only a few weeks research.

# What worked well this week?

the master students seem happy with the work I have done so far which helps me further my practice a little in sound design and composition. Also discussing ideas with the supervisor has helped me re affirm my own plans and aided in creating new ones for this project.

# What did not work so well this week?

Max/MSP/Jitter has been terrible this last week, today it took 2 hours to load on the computer and by that time I had to work on other projects, which does not boad well for my final piece shown at the Abertay Digital Showcase. The testing again went terrible as only 2 more people showed up for the test so one film was shown again which still leaves one untested and the other 2 vastly under tested.

# What have you learned this week?

To be where you want to be is to acknowledge that how to get there requires a clean slate, determination and understanding of how the way things are not what you think they are.

# Describe all the items that have been added to your portfolio this week?

2 more test results, draft essay in construction

# Do you have any other comments to make?

Audio design is sometimes taken for granted. It gets me fired up sometimes pretty badly and I hope for a better future within the industry, but I fear it will be disappointment.

Week 14

2010-04-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

End of Week 14

# What was your plan for this week?

New plan: an extension of the old plan which is to continue to seek testing methods and to continue to test in the HMC. Start the dissertation, also to conclude evidence results of some of the previous tests.

# What did you actually do this week?

I did exactly that and also sketched up some plinth designs for the end of year showcase - which will be shown to Kieth; the DIY man for the job tomorrow

# If there are any differences between items 1 & 2, please explain why.

The only difference is the deviation from the original plan as I assumed students would be more co operative but just aren't, also in respect to B.2 and B.3 it was discovered that my task was far too broad and a project in its own as the variables discovered herein where too much to put into a simple diagram with only a few weeks research.

# What worked well this week?

the master students seem happy with the work I have done so far which helps me further my practice a little in sound design and composition. Also discussing ideas with the supervisor has helped me re affirm my own plans and aided in creating new ones for this project.

# What did not work so well this week?

Max/MSP/Jitter has been terrible this last week, today it took 2 hours to load on the computer and by that time I had to work on other projects, which does not boad well for my final piece shown at the Abertay Digital Showcase. The testing again went terrible as only 2 more people showed up for the test so one film was shown again which still leaves one untested and the other 2 vastly under tested.

# What have you learned this week?

To be where you want to be is to acknowledge that how to get there requires a clean slate, determination and understanding of how the way things are not what you think they are.

# Describe all the items that have been added to your portfolio this week?

2 more test results, draft essay in construction

# Do you have any other comments to make?

Audio design is sometimes taken for granted. It gets me fired up sometimes pretty badly and I hope for a better future within the industry, but I fear it will be disappointment.

Week 13

2010-04-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

End of Week 13

# What was your plan for this week?

Prepare and execute secondary testing

# What did you actually do this week?

Completed one viewing of the 3 films with 2 candidates

# If there are any differences between items 1 & 2, please explain why.

Less people than expected turned up considering the extra networking done in preperation for the test but the test went ahead as much as I had any control of it.

# What worked well this week?

While waiting for test subjects to appear I read half of the walter murch book which had some interesting tips on film screening and 1 very interesting little bit of info on sound and blink rate.

" Start a conversation with somebody and watch when they blink. I believe that you will find your listener will blink at the precise moment he or she 'gets' the idea of what you are saying. " Walter Murch

# What did not work so well this week?

Testing was unsubstantial to make a distictive analysis on any of the films.

# What have you learned this week?

Soemtimes what the university suggests isn't always the best approach.

# Describe all the items that have been added to your portfolio this week?

1 tape not captured, 2 completed questionaires and one note of testing with vocal response. Pearl - "that was...trippy" - will note other vocal reactions to the other films.

# Do you have any other comments to make?

E.3 has not been done and has hence moved until tomorrow - if this has not been achieved through no fault of my own another approach will be attained to attempt to fulfill this milestone.

I have enough time to allow this to a degree. My time scale has not changed just my goalposts and if it is not doable the test will end and the analysis will start.

Week 12

2010-03-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

End of Week 12

# What was your plan for this week?

Mostly other unrelated projects but was scheduled to do the tests which was planned last year

# What did you actually do this week?

Of course I did not do the tests this week and have now got confirmation that I have all I need to perform the tests next week. What I did was mostly unrelated except for organise the testing, buy in some books and recomended films such as Walter Murchs - in the blink of an eye, a perspective on film editing. The book overtones and undertones by R S Brown and an Errol Flynn DVD collection (which is awesome)

# If there are any differences between items 1 & 2, please explain why.

Yes I had planned very early on the test this week but it turned out I did it sooner but it failed so now it has ended up later but I have time to allow that to happen.

# What worked well this week?

Inside the project just communicating between the different media groups to get what I need has went smoothly enough.

# What did not work so well this week?

by now I would have liked to have had the film tested by now and running analyses right now

# What have you learned this week?

I learned that maxmsp takes longer than 2 weeks too learn :P that I like errol Flynn movies and Olivia de Havilland is stunning.

Also I need to loosen some projects from my shoulders so I have time to read my books and given time to contemplate theories and create new ideas and lines of thought.

# Describe all the items that have been added to your portfolio this week?

Emails of communication, extened bibliography and filmography

# Do you have any other comments to make?

"Think you can find a piece of timber yae long by yae thick...", "yeah i think so..." , "good then lash it to your spine it needs stiffening..." Errol Flynn, Captain Blood

Week 11

2010-03-22T19:10:00.001-07:00

End of Week 11

# What was your plan for this week?

B.2 E.2(take 2), masters, signpost and other

# What did you actually do this week?

Organised another week of showing my work in the cinema and just need confirmation on the actual hiring of the cinema now if not I will get a comp in whitespace and film individuals watching the films.

Also did B.2 in a small capacity and need to work on it for another 2 weeks as I underestimated its depth and the complexity of my tasks this week.

Also working on the other oprojects steadily

# If there are any differences between items 1 & 2, please explain why.

Projects change and at the start of the Honorus year you are never sure how things work out until youve done one and in any case you should not be expected to thrive this year until the very end where thigns becoem clear and all the mistakes and fun opertunities laid bare

# What worked well this week?

Well Im going in the right direction with testing my product I believe as I do not know what effects my audio will have on the viewer Ive tried to broaden it a little to actions whiel watching the film to see if it holds there attention or makes them "twitch" as well as how they felt the film was taken with the audio not specificaly.

# What did not work so well this week?

Too many things to buy and its very expensive to run tests. Found soem nice films with soem itnerestign sound design that I have not picked up on before but no doubt has been tried and tested already - Dante 01 view from george's eyes as he wanders around the station near the beginning.

# What have you learned this week?

Publishers do not always know what they want and when they mean sneaky they really mean ambigiuous or uncertain or mysterious basically, which in musical terms is quite different from each other.

Writing music for people who dont know exqactly what they want is also a little frustrating as what you make is never what everyone agrees on and it does pushyou to make soemthing unique but simple enough to be liked by all it does stress the mind some.

# Describe all the items that have been added to your portfolio this week?

Draft info on B.2, email notices of cinema and camera hire.

# Do you have any other comments to make?

All my music of late has the uncanny qualities of mrs macbeths hands "out damn spot" we all say'eth

Week 10

2010-03-15T14:05:00.000-07:00

End of Week 10

# What was your plan for this week?

E.2 E.1 and E.2 part 2

# What did you actually do this week?

This week I organised to test the films with camera on the Monday 15th with a handful of students and also finilisde my testing methods.

however the test fell flat because no one showed up, the main door was locked for the start so no one got in and I lost a tester but no one else came after that

# If there are any differences between items 1 & 2, please explain why.

Things don't always go to plan

# What worked well this week?

I got a nice listen to my films in the cinema and wrote down soem thigns that need dealing with - its alright to make them sound good on monitors in my flat but Im testing them on the union cinema speakers.

# What did not work so well this week?

The test. I had the camera which was a last minute thing I managed to procure as the pd150's were out on loan which is the best ones we can use, had to settle for a small sony mini dv cam.

# What have you learned this week?

That its really hard to do a good honours project and do all the side ones I do. I mean really well as in first class honours because I will pass just not with what I had hoped.

# Describe all the items that have been added to your portfolio this week?

The test films and critique.

# Do you have any other comments to make?

There seems to be a fundamental flaw with education in higher thinking as in you need to research which is basically a hunt for proper knowledge but we are given a time limit and if you don't collect the porper information which is not exactly a straight forward task no indeed is it a one way street you are graded on what you have got.

Now some people get lucky and find exactly what they need, others inspirationless can't get started and others trawl through heaps of junk - is that truely fair? a human concept I know and not a realistic one but we do try to make everything as "fair" as possible.

Im not saying this from experience just from observation -guides are there I do not miss that fact but error is inherant and also the fundamental proposal of the task is misinterpeted and lost which is to seek out greater truth and experiment.

Week 9

2010-03-08T15:37:00.000-08:00

End of Week 9

# What was your plan for this week?

D2 D3 and D4 (3 weeks)

# What did you actually do this week?

This week was a dissaster for my project as a series of unfortunate events unfolded however I have compelted D2-D4 but I am continuing to tweak them which is part of E.2

# If there are any differences between items 1 & 2, please explain why.

I would have completed these last week giving me time to prepare for my first test in 1 week but things do go bad sometimes so this first test will jsut have to be a preliminary and testign of testing methods.

# What worked well this week?

Not much considering

# What did not work so well this week?

Everything else

# What have you learned this week?

Surprises come in all shapes and sizes and i get really competitive and annoyed over some audio issues

# Describe all the items that have been added to your portfolio this week?

D1-D4 mock versions + B.1 html file

# Do you have any other comments to make?

The masters project is now starting so the heat is on now :)

week 8

2010-03-04T14:45:00.000-08:00

End of Week 8

At the end of week 8 my main computer broke so the work is effectivly stopped until I can fix it, Also an emergency occured this week which has forced me to leave dundee halting all work.

I will be back near the end of week 9 to continue my work

Week 7

2010-02-22T12:57:00.001-08:00

End of Week 7

# What was your plan for this week?

D2 D3 and D4 (3 weeks)

# What did you actually do this week?

What I did this week was recover from a series of unfortunate grade marks that damaged my confidence to do what I do.

# If there are any differences between items 1 & 2, please explain why.

yes, I had to take time away from work to disconnect myself from the actual project so I could relax and evaluate my position.

# What worked well this week?

My first real Supervisor meeting went well, we discussed testing methods and one of my grade results. What we discussed was how would I test the audience if it was not a questionnaire and I sugegsted blink rate, he concurred and we delved into that a little, as in the studies on blink rate what it is and how if it differs in the 3 films then somethign is happeneing, but that would mean the result of my research would be towards something new and possibly hard to explain at my level.

Not much else worked well this week.

# What did not work so well this week?

Grades. failed to win a competition, general lack of inspiration at some points and still working on the muliplexed video from Timo.

# What have you learned this week?

Blinking is associated with taking in information.

# Describe all the items that have been added to your portfolio this week?

Researched area into blink rate

# Do you have any other comments to make?

The music CD's were not as good as I had hoped. Saying yes is a good thing to get you going, but if your not prepared for the things you accept then it can ruin you.

Week 6

2010-02-15T16:48:00.000-08:00

End of Week 6

# What was your plan for this week?

D2 D3 and D4 (3 weeks)
and Milestoned D1 C1 -C4

# What did you actually do this week?

I have indeed done D1. identified the film, C1 to C4 have also been doejn however it is perhaps the best to state here that you dont stop recording and editing sounds.

I have completed D2, the minimalist film with prior testing to see if it was worthy also I am half way through D3, the real world or contemproary drama film.

# If there are any differences between items 1 & 2, please explain why.

no differences only quality of work

# What worked well this week?

What worked well this week was how motivated I got when i was making the film an have stayed up many nights longer than I should have working on all my projects but this one the most of course.

The responses from the CEO Timo from Musuta have been great so far and is helping me get the film and audio merged together. Also lots of Ideas have been formed for the End of Year Showcase and I hope people contribute as much as they have already, albiet some more than others.

I also added a little bit to my design docs as I had misse dit the first time which is the addition of silence and useful sound design technique which I will eb using, In each film the silence parts will be the same i do not want to change that as they are a definite narrative changign mechanic and I am only focusing on amounts of sound not lack of.

# What did not work so well this week?

The posters I posted up have a flaw I now see in the conjustion of two lines which on there own dont seem misleading - however I should have put short 4 minute film showing, instead of jsut film. Also the time specified seemd to say that it was a full feature which it isnt - so i will print out more soon.

Also my grade for a module appeared this week and was lower than I had hoped so that did not work so well

# What have you learned this week?

I have learned that sometimes it is luck that gets you to where you want to be and create great things and it would be nice to have a personal assistant.

# Describe all the items that have been added to your portfolio this week?

Part work on the real world film, more edited audio.

# Do you have any other comments to make?

Im going to relax a little when my music CD's come in, found a nice little DVD with a duo music production team with some really nice music :)

Week 5

2010-02-08T17:00:00.001-08:00

End of Week 5

# What was your plan for this week?

A.3 and D.2

# What did you actually do this week?

This week I managed two version of the A.3 deliverable and will attempt to further develope it until satisfied with the application and important of the graph. Also I have successfully completed a dratf version of the minimalist film in which I inted to test with a few people before showing in the cinema.

# If there are any differences between items 1 & 2, please explain why.

no differences only quality of work

# What worked well this week?

The graph eventually became a nice flowing piece to which anyone could refer to and understand realively easily, the idea came from the timeline in the 1514 room in whitespace of the games industry and considerign my approach of A.3 was in a timeline structure it worked well.

# What did not work so well this week?

What is a problem and still is is version control, the original film will not work in song vegas but i have a converted version to work too, unfortunaly this means i havbe not yet the skill to marry up the original film with my audio using Sony Vegas at this time and require a few mroe days to solve this problem.

While I await the reply from Timo, Musuta ltd CEO I will work ont he Real world film (contemporary Drama style)

# What have you learned this week?

Ive learned that it will take a lot more work to be the best audio designer Abertay has seen which is one of my goals at this point. Ive been taking any projects I can get my hands on but that simply isn't enough at this stage and I msut practice the art more frequently and choose my working partners carefully.

# Describe all the items that have been added to your portfolio this week?

Minimalist audio track and sound forge session file as well as the draft visual for A.3

# Do you have any other comments to make?

you can never watch enough films

Week 4

2010-02-01T16:42:00.000-08:00

End of Week 4

# What was your plan for this week?

Task C3 and C4

# What did you actually do this week?

What I did this week was record multiple sound sources and indeed cut them up into dry clips with very little editing at this stage. I also started to implement the audio into UA and continue to research on film sound design techniques and implementation through the web sources and books and some behind the scenes of films.

# If there are any differences between items 1 & 2, please explain why.

There are no differences only degrees of work

# What worked well this week?

I have taken easily to Sonys Vegas and have worked out how to layer audio crossfade export to soundforge which instantly adapts the file you have placed in the timeline, which is great. I am about 1/3 of the way through my minimalist film sound designed film at the moment and hope to be done by this week.

# What did not work so well this week?

To my surprise there is only 4 audio tracks in Sony Vegas which kind of hindered me at the beginning but it eventually became very useful and focused me to think what is the most important thing that the audience needs to hear at this point, or this point, like how Joss whedon states how he made Firefly, because of restrictions it made it more concentrated.

# What have you learned this week?
Well i have learned that not all bad things turn out for the worst and in fact the before mentioned state at which the audio tracks barrier has made me more determined and focused and not to just layer aimlessly.

# Describe all the items that have been added to your portfolio this week?

library of sound recordings

# Do you have any other comments to make?

what good is power, if you cannot use it?

Week 3

2010-01-25T14:12:00.000-08:00

End of Week 3

# What was your plan for this week?

Task C2

# What did you actually do this week?

What I did this week was indeed prepare materials for recording as is now my "box of sounds" next to my workstation. What I also did was do some location recording on the trains and city roads of dundee and edinburgh which will be used later on in the process as well as getting the DR-07 replaced and all programs fully working on the new PC.

# If there are any differences between items 1 & 2, please explain why.

There are no differences or degrees of work

# What worked well this week?

One recording in aprticular has worked well and endeared itself to me for use, also preliminary recording tests with pro tools and evolve have worked well to great effect. Also I have heard back from the HMC and I will be having the screenings done for free considering its for the honours project and such and will have to make psoters an dorganise times very shortly.

# What did not work so well this week?

The location recordings were not perfect, a lot of interferance was inherant throughout the mixes with people talking, babies crying, or general urban city noises that I don't want at this stage. Also it has occured to me that the recordign and mixing of the audio will take longer than the implementationt than I planned and so I will re adjust what I do but still aim for the milestoens and deadlines set by me originally.

# What have you learned this week?

I have been learning SoundForge and all its wonderful little mechanics, also I've learned thatits not always good enough to keep throwing yoruself out there and doing lots of work, sure it will get yoru name out there as a hard worker, but if the material is not good enough...the end result could mean a bad reputation.

# Describe all the items that have been added to your portfolio this week?

Dry cuts from location recordings, evolve tests, continuous materials list.

# Do you have any other comments to make?

To infinity and beyond!

Week 2

2010-01-18T14:26:00.000-08:00

End of Week 2

# What was your plan for this week?

Task A1, A2, C1

# What did you actually do this week?

What happened this week was the completion of A1 and A2 and deliverables were logged, and C1 is still ongoing as there is a fault with my primary audio recorder and will be replaced this wednesday if all goes well. Failing that I will need to arrange to record solely in my studio and use the recording I managed to take with the DR-07 before it stopped working completely.

The new PC has arrived and most programs have been transfered to it, one is still to come Sony Vegas Pro 9, which should arrive shortly. Also Recycle arrived aswell as film sound design book and Evolved has been fully comprehended and can be used with pro tools successfully as it has invaluble resource instruments for sound effect creation.

# If there are any differences between items 1 & 2, please explain why.

C1 was not fully completed due to a fault of the manufacturer so the deliverable has not been added as of yet.

# What worked well this week?

The titan PC has been tested to various degrees and so far has shown great results in being able to handle what I need to do and more. Also the only recording which I took with the DR-07 is actually not bad and might be used in the final edit.

# What did not work so well this week?

Few hiccups here and there having the DR-07 die on me when I needed it the most ( when it was raining) was not helpful and I will need to wait till it rains again before recording that source.

# What have you learned this week?

To be the best you have to constantly explore new options and ideas and experiment with sound, and to record all the time.

# Describe all the items that have been added to your portfolio this week?

Task deliverables A1 and A2

# Do you have any other comments to make?

Not fully comprehending the significance of A1 and A2 in terms of evidence will show if I only use the material I have written I sense that for the final dissertation I will need to be more aggressive in persueing answers.

I will need to print off more sheets and re read my deliverables and assess my position at this time to make the big deadline of doing all the films by mid march - I am very worried about not making something well done and creative.

Week 1

2010-01-11T13:35:00.000-08:00

Heylo

First week gone of the project. Heres the first Diary report

# What was your plan for this week?

Task D1.

The plan was to pick the suitable film and outline the narrative type that the sound effects should portray and what style of the sound effects should be used in the film. In doing this assess how best to use the porgrams and equipment to plot out the narrative outcome.

# What did you actually do this week?

What actually happened was a short series of tests running the equipment and some of the software as the editing suite has not arrived yet. Also a general feel for the projects narrative was accumulated and the overall theme will be "mystical and abstract" which goes well with the style of the film called URBAN ABSTRACT.

Also due to the loss of the part time job I decided to use the time to take a break for a few days to recuperate and to playtest soem games and watch a few films. That being said I have also completed the series Full Metal Panic and intend to move onto Neoin, as part of my creative influences.

Also what happened this week was the buying of a PC from overclocked.co.uk called the Titan Goliath, which will help me out as my laptops drivers are failing due to heat; even though I have placed a fan at the back of it. So this will therefore require time to install all my programs and have it integrate with all my hardware as well and this might take a few days.

# If there are any differences between items 1 & 2, please explain why.

What I would have liked to have done is write a small summary of the narrative I would like to achieve but considering my art is rather untouchable or readable it escaped me how to use my art to portray this. All I can say at this point is I want it abstract and sort of give you the feeling your in a vacuum with this sound happening to you in the first test film sense of course.

# What worked well this week?

The new software instruments called Evolve works very well I can see myself using that in a few pieces of the film.

# What did not work so well this week?

The evolved instrument has one flaw, it so far only plays in Kontact which does not have a record option, I will therefore have to build a slightly complex system to record from my laptops outputs through the monitors and into a small mixer and then into the pro tools interface MBox 2 mini into a pro tools session.

Also the DR-07 recorder that arrived has a problem and so I will be getting a replacement soon. My dynamic mic seems to be oddly broke also.

# What have you learned this week?

To read carefully into what your buying, very carefully.

# Describe all the items that have been added to your portfolio this week?

Evolve is now in my arsenel, so too is the DR-07 recorder, and soon to be a PC that can handle more than this sony laptop can.

# Do you have any other comments to make?

I am getting a little worried about the project, I have ideas for the sounds, but I have no way of making them at this time. This might be considered a good thing as Im diving intot he project or bad as my lack of experience shows in this area which I have delved into on purpose to strengthen my weaknesses, Film sound effects.

Honours Project - Day 1

2010-01-06T07:51:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Today we will be looking into the narrative I think the Film should relate via the sound effects and hence be then able to identify what sound effects I would like for the Film, I have already made a Cue sheet which identifys what sounds would generally be used to sonicaly enhance the visuals that appear in Urban Abstract however with new programs and materials on their way to me as we speak I will take some time to experiemnt with the new equipment to possibly find new paths that I can choose.

So for just now I am experimenting making a musical track in Reason and as I do this I get beter to grips with finding the right sounds and effects that could be used in the Film.

For this I have given myself a week from now to accomplish.

have a good day

A last touch

2010-01-04T05:23:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Making CD covers atm :) giving my hand in a little more shine to it, will definetly stand out if no one else has dne it, however for the final one I hope to have decent quality paper fro printing the sleeves next time, maybe gloss.

Well Im just wrapping up the hand ins ready for tomorrow to drop off in one swoop so I can start my project and also take a little time to finish the Documentary for signpost international and go for a break to Edinburgh.

have a good day

Research Methods and Dissertation Proposal - completed

2010-01-03T06:57:00.000-08:00

Heylo

As the title staes I have done my first full draft of the proposal which is v10 as it stands today. Long process of trying to get the introduction right has taken longer than expected due to my own inabilities to complete it within the parametres of a good introdution according to Colin Cartwright.

So I hope this version will please him more so than the previous 9.

One thing does remain tho which is the Abstract however that will come in a few days as I prepare for the project istelf and gather all necessary material for the last 2 hand-ins ; Concept development and Pre Production.

have a great day

Back to work - Buy ins, Inspiration

2010-01-02T17:14:00.000-08:00

Heylo

New year is upon us and so I have decided to start buying in the equipment needed for this project so it will hopefully arrive in time in the next 2 weeks ahead of shedule, now what I have gathered are:

ReCycle - Propellorheads audio editing suite, I felt it was time to change from the mastered Audacity to something a little more pro. in total £100. studica online

Tascam DR-07 - Portable audio recorder, for those hard to get sound effects. in total £150. dolphin music online

Books - Sound design books around £15 in total, amazon online

Films - On mass box sets, film series, collections, classics, I have spent around £130 on this - for inspiration and research. high street stores and amazon online

Also, been very tempted by a MIDI controller you see I have been researchign MIDIboxes, a non commercial rpoduct that you build yourself masterfully created by Thorsten Klose, you can find his videos on the useage of his kit at VIMEO from which I have become very aware of my hardware deficiency and software dependancy.

It is time to move on from my mastered appliacations and start learning new ones :) hence ReCycle and looking into new hardware such as MIDI controllers, however I forsee a problem with creating synthetic sounds for the film that wont be best recorded by the Tascam like absract zooms and woosh sounds and computer noises, or noises like the gas I plan to use will be very hard to find in Dundee without harm to oneself.

So I will look into Refills for Reason and Have already filled Protools with free Inserts from CA magazine :).

hope you had a good new year, have a good day

Cue sheet and update

2009-12-20T17:48:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Basic Cue sheet for the film has been done, and to recap the hand in for the personal project and the proffesional practice has been handed in, some wrong naming of modules were done but I hope this wont affect the mark too greatly or even at all at this stage but begrudge me if thoust will.

Doing the Masters audio at the moment, getting inspired by greg edumson again fromt he reavers track to use as a title screen, aslo was humming a tune on the way back from work its gone now but sound ok for a menu title music track had basic beats used from my studies into the human heart beat, apes, war, etc and then i think i was going to overlay in the tortured souls of those the main character had "said hello too" basically :)

being inspired by a lot of 2D at the moment from the proffesional sites and magazines of artists lately especially that of merging humanity with other worldly or otherwise aspects :) nice stuff there, great for making sounds/ music too as it can be so abstract its so liberating to work on them.

also looking onto the indie film scene on Vimeo, great little site, there are so many nice videos out there and have inspired me greatly to think outside the box and hopefully will have a subconscious affect on me as to my desinging nature :)

Not much else apart from im seeing the work load before me and it is a high mountain to climb, 4 minute video with full sound effects and music, and 3 different versions that build on each other in stages. As well as my research proposal which was not perfect again, so having to rewrite that again soon for the 5th time.

All in the best interests of my final grade tho :) heres hoping we all get somethign out of this year.

have a great day

Proffesional Practise

2009-12-17T02:47:00.001-08:00

Heylo

Over the last few days I have been finishing up the Proffesional practice module to get it handed in before christmas to have one less thing on my mind, unfortunatly the lecturer has not been very responseive of late and missed the meeting i was to have with him with no reasons why.

However I will press on and get it done to the best of my knowledge and hand in :)

I think there will need to be a change somewhere in the marking system as it took 3 weeks for me to get my initial feedback which was 2 weeks befre the end of term. I will consider bringing it up at next years rep meeting.

have a great day

End of year showcase

2009-12-14T05:01:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Just jotting down some ideas for the end of year showcase in which i would like my film played on a pc / mac with an intro selection screen :)

this is the basic concept

have a great day

Urban Abstract Mind Map

2009-12-13T13:23:00.001-08:00

Heylo

Now that I have the Film, I have now done a mind map showing the design factors involved in a basic mind map for Urban Abstract and Also the Mind map I was working to until I had a Film :)

Also had a problem with some of my buisness cards but only with half, luckily I had planned for this and got 2 seperate card designs.

Will be working on more Pre Production material for a while now to solidify my project and also filling in the gaps in my project proposal and research proposal.

have a great night

Press pack delivery

2009-12-10T13:06:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Today I happily recieved my 500 buisness cards, pen, mugs, mouse mats, calender, t shirt, banner and window stickers. The cards will be used at the test screenings and at the end of year showcase :) the banner I hopw to put up end of year if there is room, or I will buy another one with the film im going to show on it :D

I love the idea of getting my name out there and presenting my stuff really well.

I just hope in the end that my audio can compliment it and not fall short of expectations which is the biggest consideration of this project for me.

have a great night :)

First Advert for screenings

2009-12-10T13:01:00.001-08:00

Heylo

This is the first basic rough for the advert I will put up in the University for advertising for the screenings :) screenshoted the Video for the main image

Have a great night

Advertising

2009-12-10T04:36:00.001-08:00

Heylo

today im cropping and converting the video for cinema use and hoepfully put in soem disclaimers, my press pack initiative etc. Also printing off a test copy of an advert I will be posting around the University to attract participants in the Test screenings I have opted for 10 per screening which is 30 in total, if i get any more brilliant, any less and some doubt will crep into my mind.

Im a believer of 10 in testing, 10 questions on a questionaire, 10 participants, 10 test screenings, if I had the time to make it.

have a great day

Emailing

2009-12-08T19:53:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Just trying to get all my emailing done - one other task always pops up though, so i really need a PDA of somekind to jot notes and keep track of what i need to do these days, that or a PA :D

So emailing Hannah Maclure Centre for bookings, Signpost international for Press pack things, one out to a masters student too see if i can get a copy of their computer animation for a prototype and before i forget i will be doing an email to Whitespace solutions so I can help out in their Winter Lights Night film editing :)

Also getting on with the 3 essay hand ins aswell although - I would like more clarification as to what to hand in and how, there seems to be a sheet to fill in for Honours module and Proffesional Practice module so will need to look up desciptoors (if I can remember)

Just about done the gantt chart aswell so everythings falling into place.

have a great morning

Proposals

2009-12-07T16:45:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Just finished printing off the Project Proposal, and the intro and reasoning for the Research Methods and Dissertation module. Behind schedule a bit and it is now clear that my extra work and job have indeed affected my honours thus far in good and negative ways.

To be honoest I wouldn't change the way I have done everything, its been pretty decent as far as an academic semmester goes. Best of luck to all for the upcoming next semmester :)

have a great night

Website redesign and Press pack?

2009-12-07T14:43:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Working away on the honours project and I thought I would take a short break by redesigning my site, so far IVe got this header image made for my new scheme :)

Still no word back from the CEO of Masuta but its probably because there trying to decide whether I can use the film footage with my own sound effects at the moment, will continue searching for backups later.

Good news tho, I've been building my image a little piece by piece by buying in press pack material for the end of year show :D sorry I didnt tell you about it wanted to say more nearer christmas, what I can say is I have buisness cards so far the other item is a surprise :P I also got pens and mugs and mouse mats but im testing that atm for the quality of the prints when they come - hopefully shortly. Then I can really go to town and get some decent press stuff :D

I also found out you can buy cardboard cutouts of movie stars and just about anything, which will come in handy - just need to find the site Kerry from Signpost Int used and I will put on a great show :)

So i will be able to get my name out there on the showcase at the end of the year, no doubt :P

have a great day

Success

2009-12-06T10:14:00.000-08:00

Heylo

I got a very warm reply today about the film Urban Abstract; a lovely little video on Vimeo thats done entirely with computer graphics

Urban Abstract from Musuta on Vimeo.

The kind CEO has allowed me to use this video for non commercial use :) and now I jsut need to detail if I CAN use it in the context of film.

have a great day

Vimeo

2009-12-05T15:45:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Today - after much time passign tryign to look for a suitable film i decided to make a post instead and use my time elsewhere like my dissertations.

Considerations - Im also considering the backup of making the film myself although the amateur that I man will not benefit my project in any way only to the degree that it will be original.

Film - I quite fancy doing the one i posted earlier about the "stroll around the parl" where I follow the lights, the wall of trees etc, i have a few good ideas on sound effects for that, metaphorically of course, and im charging Kennys cam now to take some shots and possibly make a film tonight if I can ( saturday night prob not the best) just so I have a prototype in the form of a film and not the animation from which Ive still not been able to jump back onto at this time because of workload pressures.

Trigger Finger - working on the gaurds audio myself as this will save time in the studio for the main character who wont be using a radio anyways so its perfectly fine me doing it - also found soem nifty pro tools plug ins that just made the radio recordings so much better :P

have a great day :)

The numbers

2009-12-03T17:44:00.000-08:00

Heylo

So I have found a Budget Site, http://www.the-numbers.com/about.php#research and I have asked for more specific information on the Budgeting of Avatar and 2012 if possible, if not I will ask for earlier films information if that is more acceptable to them and I might not even get a response because I am a student.

Heres hoping for some info on the % that the Audio side of films gets in the Budget.

have a great night

Proffesional Practice Proposal

2009-12-03T15:01:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Ive just about rewritten the Main arguement of the Research Proposal for PP, just adding some more references, nearly doubled since my initial hand in.

Had my meeting with Colin today aswell about the Dissertation Proposal and got some interesting feedback but likewsie I got feedback from other students on the Dissertation module previous and currently doing - seems we as artists have not all got the grasp on this style of writing.

So I continue trying to get the A I really want and was hoping to have it in sight by the end of last week, too many projects and work seems to be the prob and my inability to say no to creative expression work. It will be mine tho.

So got 6/7 days of work from now till next friday where I intened to take a break, got emergency stocks fo sugar, 2 new music CD's Mudvayne and Killswitch Engage which should be nice to hear them on decent monitors :D think ill buy a boat load more CD's and jsut blitz through the night on these essays.

have a great night

Redoing and rewriting

2009-12-02T16:49:00.000-08:00

Heylo

redoing my proposal quickly before I have to divulge my other ptoject "intro" to another lecture later today and not too keen on 2 bits of bad news in a row about the key factors in my honours degree.

Aslo rewriting to scottish screen to ask about Film usage but otherwise I hold no hope for that sort of thing and will try to source it locally or on the web from a student or independant film maker on Vimeo or otherwise.

Also done some concept sketches again for my website, just letting out some itchy tendencies by sketching at this point I don't have time to do a revamped website at the moment.

have a great night

Turning point

2009-12-02T09:01:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Got some bad news today as my initial proposal was way below the expected standard I had imagined, maybe I'm not that cut out to be a researcher? Regardless I'm going to try again in the hopes of the A I want and if not then its not meant to be.

I will restructure my proposal pretty much from scratch as it does need it since I got such a low mark.

Prototype creation and testing is halted all non important projects stopped, only ones i will keep doing is the masters game and signpost international, along with my part time job in hopes of salvaging my grade.

have a great night

Prototype 1 video

2009-11-30T15:29:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Here is the first Prototype of the basic 33 second animation which Im testing does the amount of Sound effects change the narrative. Now I am not very good at choosing the right specific sounds to use in order to put across a good narrative with only a few sound effects so I just focused on one object, which was the skin.

I could have chosen the transformations like a sound for coming out of the wall other than ripping like coming out of liquid perhaps or other wise but the point is there are many ways to take this.

Enjoy :)

have a great night

Prototype 01 done

2009-11-30T15:03:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Did the first Protoype today only using sound effects on the skin ripping and stretching, will have a htink of what else I could put in to make it a feasably moderate animation, then work on making it a little over the top and hence completing my prototype creation and then onto testing :)

One gripe that happened was that the sounds werent as clear the first time I boucned it but realised I had left the high pass gate on - I use it to reduce laptop fan noise and outside upheaval :P

but fixed now - bumping the final bit down now and then we will see about putting it up here :)

have a great night

So far so good

2009-11-29T15:19:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Going well so far cutting up the audio got a nice juicy :P bit of audio for you to hear, this is for the humanoid stretching out of a wall and ripping of their skin :)

AUDIO CLIP enjoy :D

have a great night

Dry done

2009-11-29T14:23:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Dry recordings done for the skin and stretching material sound effects done so far that I can think of, possibly look for other things to rip apart and to test once I get money :)

Will edit them tonight - all I hope but its a good amount so could be hear all night :P

Have a great night

got some visuals for you

2009-11-29T13:18:00.001-08:00

Heylo

Me and my girlfriend have been sketchign lately and like the human body coming out of things stretchign skin, being part of life - check Origin 2008 artwork and so ive decided to have a background on my website :) here are the trace and trace with the original in the background :) not done just concept sketches of course

So heres stuff to look at and check out my site for audio :) geokda.co.uk

have a great day

Protoype

2009-11-29T12:47:00.000-08:00

Heylo

after being unable to do anything after work yesterday and collapsing on the bed I didnt get to do the prototype recordings for the sound effects yesterday so will try tonight, also the artist has informed me they will be doing a more clearer version so i opted to have that sent to me aswell :)

Slowly working on the literature review, going to be a long few weeks pulling together all the information I have collected and read throught them all to get what I need - if anything.

Recently under a lot of work load and time management but will try to have regular updates daily if possible of the work done. now onto recording :)

have a great night

catching up

2009-11-29T02:18:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Been ready tired from work lately however i have managed to track down a film student I gave music too last year, going to try and see if I can use one of his films :)

As for the prototype I could not get out of bed cause of my back and hence fell asleep in it :( the mics and sound effects kit is still set up ready to be recorded but I only have time to check emails before heading off to work again.

As for any other progress I have been writing up my research proposals litrerature review having done the intro and will hopefully get my feedback shortly on all my recent work. Then move onto Pre Production essay, which Ive written a methodology for it.

Hope you have a great Sunday

Film leg work

2009-11-27T13:27:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Today at the Light Night Festival in Dundee I Colette and Odi did some filming :) we went round some of the events like the skate park, st pauls cathedral, the drum circle outside wellgate and lots of other things :) hectic night with all the running around trying to get footage of it all though.

But got some experience with a camera and at night with very bright lights aswell.

Its at the back of my mind to just make the film myself and have a basic narrative little or no vocals and just have basic foley possible music and then adapt the sound effects to it - however with little of 4 weeks left its not looking possible and around 6 other projects to do.

So got a lot to thing about and hope I will eventually get time to sit down and just do some more work ont he honours project beside writing.

have a great winter light night

The prototype

2009-11-26T14:30:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Just looking through the aquired animation it doesnt have a clear narrative and that worries me that it wont be a good test case then, its quite abstract.

So im getting another animation from the same artist but with some continuity about it :) still abstract but the story has a protagonist this time :D

Also before class today I drew up some scene sketches i had in head for a while, one of a flowing shot of the seatign area at the back of the overgate and try to build some narrative through some sound effects and also a drama scene in which a person is at the bedroom window lookign out and then sits on their bed and has a physical and mental contemplation period until they look ver to their keys on the bedside drawers.

so here are the (bad) sketches :P They help me get my ideas out even though Im an audio artist it helps to have visuals :) plus I like to mix the two arts.

have a great day

I had to laugh a little :)

2009-11-24T15:28:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Say the Aberplay interview for nextleveldundee at Neon and realised there was 3 creative contents their I did audio for :P Ginork, the nextlevel showcase screen and the Aberplay music :D

I should spend some money on more audio equipment to broaden my range as I don't want to have a particular style that people will go, "oh yeah thats SGW". Need variety, diversity and innovation to pull my music/aduio across the media fields :) so if I get noticed that way, thats how i would like it, because Im diverse not because I have one style.

Oh and I dont put up all the music I make on the website to be clear :)

Have a great night :)

Tiny update

2009-11-24T14:43:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Currently prepairing my methology paper, my research roposal, masters games students audio and magicode-games audio. Think ive finally got a decent starting line for the research proposal after reading some of last years - which might have been a problem from the get off not reading them enough.

Lots of spot effects, foley created through all the projects I have done ready for use in the film and Animation prototype - when I get it working with pro tools, some mbox issues at the moment.

However progressing nicely and looking forward to Fridays festival which I will be filming so check me out if you see some guys with cameras I am one :P

have a great night

pass the student

2009-11-24T07:49:00.001-08:00

Howdy

seems as tho these companies know less about each other than I do, today I got a reply from UK Film Council, which do not have anything to do with film testing and have therefore given me other websites to look at - somehow Im not sure this is going to get a clear picture of how to screen test anytime soon.

so patience is running thin as I have a lot of work going on and cant afford to waste it with these declined responses from companies who should know , I think, a little bit more than they do.

have a great day

Here is something someone else has done :)

2009-11-23T15:23:00.001-08:00

Howdy

HERE is a link to a movie trailer with the sounds all done by student, which is similar to what i would like to do. Its nothing special just showing something similar and also criticing it.

Voice overs are repeated for mulitple characters with same or even different voices sometimes, music matches fine, believability doesn't quite match up and could have emphisised a few narrative bits mroe with key sound effects :)

Have a great day

getting there - I hope

2009-11-23T06:36:00.001-08:00

Howdy

Got redirected byt he UK screen Association to The UK Film Council
in which I have sent a similar email asking about tested film
screenign methods and how to get in touch with film makers and use
of there films :)

fingers crossed

Also doen some vocal recordigns for magicode-games today, always
fun :P hope to do some for trigger finger soon.

Have a great day

Something similar to what Im researching

2009-11-22T15:10:00.000-08:00

Howdy

How narratives are changed with visual and audio cues :) not specific to the amount on one particular scene but has a nice table for reference just like I would like to create.

HERE it is, theres a lot more in there I want to post but its just too much :P

Shifts in narrative point-of-view and time have several effects:

* delaying of information disclosure builds tension in an effort to manipulate the audience directly;

* empathy for characters shifts throughout the film with the shifts in point of view;

* power relations between characters change with the shifting of point of view, since story knowledge and interpretive power are so intimately related.

The techniques that are used within films by filmmakers can be seen as having a desired effect. This effect, though having intention can of course be interpreted in different ways from that intention. The table below draws out some techniques and their desired effects on the audience.

Technique ‘Effect’
Flashback,Flashforward,Present The information revealed in one time frame will alter the understanding that the audience has of another time frame, e.g. Saving Private Ryan, Citizen Caine

Repetition Information can be revealed by increasing the duration of a repeated incident or by changing the narrative point-of-view of the incident, e.g. Memento

Dream Dreams can be used to mislead the audience by making them believe that some events are actually taking place but in reality are only dreams e.g. Mulholland Drive, Jacob’s Ladder

Hallucinations Again, hallucinations can mislead the audience and situates them with the character in terms of their knowledge, e.g. A Beautiful Mind

Premonitions Premonitions set up expectations about what is to occur in the narrative, but these expectations can be subverted, e.g. Don’t Look Now

Voice-over Voice-over discrepancies can create humour or be used to show deceit between characters. Further they delimit the terms of narrative disclosure between the characters.

This is what I want to create but with the variety of sounds used = narrative change, in relation to a particular event/scene in the film.

Im getting closer to finding case studies that are simialr to my own study :)

have a great day

how to get what answers i want

2009-11-22T11:15:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Basically im wanting to ask a question to get the information that
will inform me of narrative change and atm i can only think of;

"what do you think was going on in this film?" or " what do you
thinkthe main characters motiv / reason for doing / stance on
... etc?"

which would show change in narative if the answers varied in the
other films :D its pretty general and wide enough to make the
viewer react and say exactly what they thought was going on in
the scenes in the film.

Also I need to think of a lead, Colin Cartiwright describes it
as the type of questionaire that "makes" the subject answer no
until they come across a question that they will likely say yes
to because they feel they have answered no for so many qestions
:) which might tie into the second question variety :D.

I need to avoid the question

"what do you think of this film?" which is too general and will
therefore get a basic answer - which was a result from my last
years test and I would have the results if Abertay wuld let me
have my research back :S

have a great day

SOS Forum

2009-11-22T10:55:00.000-08:00

Howdy

been trying to get some help on the online communities and by
which I mean sound and film forums, most of which have not been
handy. This one albiet has mostly junk replies lead me to Vimeo
:) which was awesome to find out, the rest was conjuncture based
on first glance judgements and taking me for a lazy worker, which
anyone who knows me will laugh.

HERE is the SOS forum which I attempted to get help from, all I
asked was a point in the right direction and they flame me when I
say its study related.

The others have yet to yield anything.

have a great day - at least Im trying :)

Vimeo

2009-11-22T10:50:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Signing up for a Vimeo which is a free hosting and sharing video
website, hopefully I can aquire a unique video to use for the
film tests that is relatively unseen in the Dundee Populace
in which I will be testing the film

which just makes me wonder if Dundee is bias in someway and maybe
I should plan for that saying that this is a Game / Media industry
heavy area and might be bias toward certain venacular and style?
hmm - need to contemplate that.

will hopefully get a corridor background ambient track down tonight
aswell as some more convincing gun shots and enemy footsteps as
Im not sure Trigger Finger are fully won over by my originals which
is fine :) more experience for me. Which I have been studyign for a
little while - Battlefield 2 :P very nice stuff, it is in pen spaced
zones but the engine can change the sounds to be as if they were
inside :)

anywho, have a great day

UK screen association

2009-11-20T14:11:00.000-08:00

Heylo

Still on the hunt for testing methods on the films, so searched up UK
film associations, and got info@ukscreenassociation.co.uk :P close enough

and hence emailed them for advice :) fingers crossed this contact address
works this time.

have a great day

Walky Tests

2009-11-20T13:05:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Working on a masters game with the Team Trigger Finger and so far got some background stuff spot effects etc which I cant show atm as its not finished however I can show the tests Im doing with the walky talky :P heard HERE

Enjoy

Have a good day

Student Films

2009-11-19T16:22:00.001-08:00

Howdy

Just showing what Im looking at in terms of quality though this one itself is more a documentary, but the qaulity is sufficient :)

look at it HERE if you wish

have a great day

Idea

2009-11-19T16:12:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Ive heard that Whitespace solutions get involved in a lot of filming so I wonder If i could get my hands on some film / animation ? as I did with the whitespace advert :D

will look into that later on today :)

Have a great day

inetfilm.org

2009-11-19T14:44:00.001-08:00

Howdy

Today Im looking into the methodology of how I am going to do the project but also looking for where I can Aquire a film, inetfilm.org has been my first successful interest.

Ive tried to send the editor an email asking if its possible to use one of the films or hopefully they will head me in the right direction of where I can use an independant film for the honours project :) Howver the email address bounced back a negative response so will keep looking and hopefully I will find a film / film scene to work with.

have a great day

methodology help

2009-11-19T03:34:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Today Ive wrote a little about the methodology involved in my project and I got the help from of course the lectures but also this website HERE theres a lot to read so havent read all of the parts and hope to back them up by further studies :)

have a great day

microphone tests

2009-11-19T03:14:00.001-08:00

Howdy

As I was recording the wachine machine for the masters game project, i decided to used my C606 shure microphone, standard vocal /warm mid frequency response mic, and my B5 small diaphram condensor mic.

And I got some nice distinctions, no one better than the other however they both picked up different noises and a 15 sec clip can be heard HERE for B5 and HERE for C606

enjoy

have a great day

Woops

2009-11-17T12:31:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Just realised I should be learning all the stuff i had planned to do in january as the star of my project - I should do that now ! :o damn, lost in translation there possibly due to the very confusing lectures?

But not too worry they can stay in the plan as the research for the Disertation > further reading into case studies and literature etc :)

But this means my very busy schedule is absolutely going to be packed - Documentary / Masters Games Audio / Honours Games Audio / Magicode Games / Honours project Tests / Other Documentarys and anything else that comes my way plus work

So I will need to be careful about where I place my time and not to overstretch myself in order for self improvement - although a PA would sort me right out ;)

Working on Masters Game Audio ATM :)

Have a great day

Layering +

2009-11-16T18:44:00.001-08:00

Howdy

Worked on my bus reactor a little adding more too it :) hope to get more sound effects to really bring it too life soon - fingers crossed.

hope to have more to show soon

have a great day

Sound Effects

2009-11-16T17:16:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Firstly I have been looking at my literary review and not been able to read through it all, been very busy with other projects, work etc :) however

I have been testing the layering techniques inspired from films like Alien, and games and created a few blood gouging sword attacks for magicode-games which were liked so far, (tick positive feedback box)

Also today I got my hands on the Whitespace advert which I plan to put some sound effects too, to change the narrative :D just 10-20 seconds should do - as well as the animation symposium.

However I have opted into the Masters game audio design program and will be on route shortly to do one or more teams audio in 2 weeks or less - this will be tough with other coursework needing to be done at a steady rate (and not left to the last minute which i detest - undue stress) but I will work on it and gain valuable experience from it :)

Al Pacino in Devils Advoacte " ...Underestimated from day one "

I can find some connection with that :)

Have a great day

Few things I might have missed

2009-11-11T06:05:00.000-08:00

Howdy

In my schedule I think I may have missed out the bit of data that was ment to contain the time I would spend doing the dissertation and also other projects - it completely slipped my mind and now its too late as its handed in already :(

I think I should have a better organised notebook at this year its not been as organised as I would have liked so that would be the first issue to solve in regards to making sure Ive done everything mentioned in the classes, lesson learned.

have a great day :)

Print outs

2009-11-11T04:32:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Getting the Project Proposal printed out and handing in today along with tree diagram and digital copies of the work :)

Soon after I hope to dive into some more literary review work to firm up my case and to get any relavent studies on my side or opposed so im not pro one way or the other.

Hoping it goes well just not having much luck finding the material on my own.

Hope you have a great day

Qualitative Research

2009-11-10T07:38:00.001-08:00

Howdy

I now know that I will be doing Qualitative Research :) taking in words and reactions instead of numbers and representing them in appropriate ways :)

Also Found out today something I had completely missed; it matters in which order I show the films. So I might show 1,2,3 to one person then 2,1,3 to another etc, so it will take longer than one day I think to get all the different people at different times. We also covered questions today and I have some experience in that so not too worry too much on that area.

But lesson learned :D

Have a great day

Equipment Buy in

2009-11-10T04:10:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Today I recieved my Behringer MS40 stereo pair studio monitors :D and testing them out now even tho my laptop has some dodgey connections its turning out to be a good purchase cause Im finding weak parts in my songs I never heard off the headphoens of laptop speakers so really this is challenging the method of if you can make it sound good on rubbish is better than making it ok on good monitors.

But the experience on the low quality laptop speakers should help me out a lot :) as Im now noticing my music has to be turned up more to be heard and some notes arent being as 'clear' as I intentionally ment them to be, the volume doesnt bother me as Im not a fan of full on compression to the max and ramp up everything to 0. the EQ of the notes I want more clear tho is of interest to me :D

So atm testing the monitors on American McGee's Alice and then a Movie and Anime :)

Thats all for now

Have a great day

Questionaire methods

2009-11-09T10:34:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Just went to the Honours Student Support Session and learned about SPSS :) a program for statistics and information hadling so that is one method I could search into and would be considered a skill I will need to learn to use.

Also I can see Jim Kelly the student support lecturer who was there today is available for session booking on any help :) which I think I might on some points:

1. Questionaires construction help
2. Help with Litrature review forming - already know of the Triangle which helped a lot :)
3. SPSS the program for visually representing information and stats :) exactly what I wanted to do with one of the Tasks in my Tree Diagram
4. Formulation of Disseration sections like Results and Discussion section - done this before with my last project but will be good to get it for a reminder.

Also found out I have to make the Waiver myself and I should probably put it at the top of the questionaire instead of a separate sheet :D saving paper, saving the planet.

So yeah all good for that 20 min feedback session, worth going along to sort out the queries I had :) and 3rd year crit went good, gave feedback got some ideas churning and discussed theories and applications of audio :)

Also another Track - Hamid has suggested I make a title screen music track for Ginork- Gladly :D can't say no and I want the game to be as good as possible, he also mentioned the rotating tracks which I think will be fantastic as the music track thats in now gets on your nerves a little, some rotation would be fab.

Thats all for today

Have a great day

Symposium Animation

2009-11-07T13:16:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Just showing my time line notes created for imagining the sound effects which will be used for Symposium.

(in seconds) | (notes)

0-4 | square shape breaks outwards in pieces that are like construction pieces

4-5 | the camera angles goes under the parts which forms long shaft shapes

5-7 | the parts fly upwards

7-8 | camera angle change again

8-16 | parts zoom towards the screen, wavey circlular blob appears

16-19 | blob goes to the left

19-22 | centres and jiggles

22-23 | shapes form in the blob

23-25 | shapes turn into the continents of the world, the blob becomes earth

25-29 | earth rotates in the correct motion

29-30 | zoom into one particular island

30-32 | zoom into the continent now just a shape

32-33 | the shafts are inside the shape and zoom towards the screen

33-45 | shapes come out of the white background taking black siluettes out

45-47 | black goes to white circle the to black dot

47-49 | camera zooms out, the dot turns into an outline of a face

49-50 | outline of face is comlplete

50-52 | face is surrounded by black

52-58 | face ages and becomes a skull

58-62 | end is still shot of last frame, the skull in darkness

Right, so thats what I will be working with to create sound effects as well of course as the animation this is just to shrink a linear art form into a basic still piece of information :)

I have a few ideas of basic effects to use and I will try to bring in some of my own metaphor or otherwise meanings into play - obviously with the consent of the artist :)

have a great day

Sound Layering

2009-11-06T05:24:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Recorded some sounds today for Magicode-games :) and used a layering technique to get a MGS esk death as thats the style of game, but with ninjas! what I did was layer 4 sounds together at first that I recorded in Pro Tools;

a swish
a hit
an unsheath blade
a blade hit

and put them together :) sounded nice, edited in audacity

so then a used 5 others in separate channels to get a delay effect, I did it this way as I wanted more control over each individual repetition.

so made 3 HERE and HERE and HERE :)

So yeah posted to Maciej and hope it gets a thumbs up

have a great day

More on sound effects

2009-11-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Going to attempt a case study soon with the animation I got from Sara Jozavi Torkmorad and see If I can create a version with competant sound effect design and implementation :)

look forward to it soon :P

have a great 5th of november :)

Small action plan

2009-11-05T08:29:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Been watching a lot of movies, a few documentarys and playing some games to get a subconscious feel of what contemporary sound is like as the list is quite extensive I wont list everything here but a few are

*Alien
*American Beauty
*Apocalypse Now
*Daywatch
*Ginger snaps
*I love you man
*Irreversible
*Objectified Documentary
*Paprika
*Mesrine: Public enemie number 1
*Samurai Jack animated series (all)
*Stalker (book, movie and games :P)
*True Colours
*UP 3D

etc

- Ive also watched a few mid 1900's movies like Scars of Dracula (1970) Harvey (1950) Fantasia (1940) Gulivers travells (1939) and touched a little on MIDI game music as I like to work around a lot of media before using the knowledge for a single aim :)

So the plan is too Find the right Film short now this could take a while so I plan too look very soon, I have a few leads, my girlfriend who is a sculpture who also does animations, the BBC archive, students at Abertay and or Staff at Abertay, failing that I can see if Taking a few minutes from a DVD I have is fine or sourcing it somewhere else.

Now beside that the film will totally dictate which sounds obviously I will be using so thats very open at the moment until I refine it jsut a little more, I will use the combined knowledge of my research to determine cues for each sound, score if possible, voice overs etc and any artisitc style to be used within.

I have planned what equipment and software I will use and have tested putting music only to an animation From Sara Jozavi Torkmorad from ECA using protools which worked fine you can see it HERE

I also earlier put up a test recording of ambience to remix and layer - like many sound effects are made by this technique - and creatd a wierd mechanical sound from the bus mainly. Bus engine sounds are fantastic :P this is the relink HERE for original track and HERE for remix

What I intend to do is do some more mixes from different sound sources and using the layering technique of analysing the noises source from a video ive long forgotten the name of but they depicted all the sounds in a punch to someones face ie.

scenario:

attacker punches victim in face,

attackers knuckles would creak slightly as would his arm bones which would move his arm and therfore clothes on it.

victim would have had hand impact his face so you dont get a sound for just the skin impact you need all the layers as if the fist was hitting each one and then "layer" them together. This creates an effective sound effect methodology used in the industry this specific example was in a game but thats luckily where sound can lapse with film.

So more next time :)

have a great day

Guide on making sound effects

2009-11-05T05:50:00.001-08:00

Howdy

Some peopel have kindly listed how to make certain sound effects which I will take into consideration and possibly attempt if I have time :) - I have tried a few of them before for the NextLevelDundee game and Magicode-games ones. The link HERE

Have a great day

Midi music :D

2009-11-04T12:39:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Heres a link to some renditions of some classic games tunes :) HERE always nice to see the visual behind it so gives composers a look at where all those sounds come from - still a puzzle but it helps :)

Fav so far is the megaman one :) (1:03 onwards :P to jump straight in - but its all good listen to them all :D) kind of inspiration for which i came up with the Aberplay theme tune trial which you can hear HERE

Have a great day

Musical stairs :)

2009-11-02T15:58:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Heres a Link from an Online Piano Teacher I Follows Blog about musical stairs :D

Here have a look HERE :) what can you do to make the enviroment more fun ?

In fact Im looking at all their stuff now like the very deep bin :P have a look the guys are Thefuntheory.com :D

have a great day

Not all Audio

2009-11-02T13:56:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Just poping up a few sketches I did to express soem creative desire :P

So started with basics - hands etc jsut drawing my left hand then onto like cartoon faces etc :) last one started as the shaft for the "arm" then turned into that :S enjoy

Have a great day

Work pace is sinking in

2009-11-02T12:38:00.000-08:00

Howdy

Jamming in the keyboard atm on my proposal 4 parts done and references building up - not so bad once you get going.

Watched Daywatch today got some nice film shots and some nice use of sound like when the ballbearings out in the open hit a building - sounds like a fire cracker :P but works I think - few cop outs tho like the creaky hinged door on that black truck when the bikes came out, a way over-used sound effect.

Listening to the Composer of the Film "The Descent" 2005 to broaden my audio intake :)

Composed 2 songs for neon festival and got a mindset for magicode-games now too which should hopefully all come together soon once I get my timetable solidified.

Also working on some sketches to put some creative thinking to use some hand sketches, eyes, noses, mouths and a few facial expressions coupled with a little creature drawing and a random looking thing that belongs in Devil May Cry.

have a great day

So far

2009-10-30T05:44:00.000-07:00

Howdy

initial proposal doc is going well, draft tree diagram has been sent to Brian to see if he could look over it and im learning a lot atm and finding the new terms to be very interesting :) like External and Internal Sound Logic. :P

fantastic stuff if you would like to have a read check out Michel Chion´s book Audio Vision or check out Filmsound.org HERE

once the tree diagram is verified I can start planning the Objectives and Tasks to them input into my proposal :)

have a great day

Docs

2009-10-29T17:42:00.000-07:00

Howdy

Initial docs are being drafted up now for Proffesional Practice and Research methods and dissertation :)

Tree diagram version 1 complete also

Hopefully - time permitting - i will have at least one full draft document by this weekend

have a great day

Web reference

2009-10-29T14:58:00.000-07:00

Howdy Just putting up a web reference for all to see that I will be using as it has some awesome citations on some genres of film.

HERE

Seems the best place to get good knowledge on Film sound effects is through the books and web articles from good sources rather than journals at the moment but I will keep trying of course.

Have a great day

wall-e

2009-10-29T05:37:00.000-07:00

Howdy

Heres some inspirational and creative thinking shown in the design of the sound Wall-E film :)

videos can be found HERE at an interview blog :)

have a great day

Heylo

2009-10-28T18:04:00.001-07:00

Howdy

Got a list of Movies that could have potential Interesting key audio aspects in it that allow me to build up a sort of chart that will detail the different aspects of audio used in different scenes like Eraserhead which I havent seen in a while - apocalypse now which i have seen and written notes on ( which was not given back to me at the end of the last year i was at Abertay so its gone now :| ) and a few others which I will detail.

Also I did not have the meeting yesterday for Magicode games but will have it today at 2:30, fingers crossed.

I should be starting soon hopefully to post up the official docs or info used in the docs for the universitys hand-ins - and much more hopefully as their hand-ins are guidelines but the projects go way beyond usually :P

have a great night :P

Few updates

2009-10-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

Howdy

Time today was really scarce in allowing me to type up notes so I haven't yet but they are there for Honours Project and the Documentary (which I can talk about) and tonight I will be having my first meeting as Audio Designer for Magicode games :) a small independant student group which makes... games :P

Oh and also doing the NextlevelDundee showcase music :D - I can't help myself must do loads of Audio Projects!!!! :P

Catch you all soon

Have a great day

First Day filming

2009-10-27T15:50:00.000-07:00

Howdy

Today was the first day filming got some nice notes all down which i wil post later on if i feel so inclinded to show progress :P and also watched a documentary to get some ideas today called Objectified at the DCA :) not bad for a day.

So with that said i've now got a few ideas of how we should film still shots with the documentarys agenda of showing consultation at the christmas festival and the process involed in getting there :)

Will soon look at specifically sound effects in Film as thats the area I want to look at assuming the online library will be nice to me and have some interesting articles to read on another day not today, and got a hankering to get an interview with possibly people at the DCA or someones whos involved to get their opinion.

Thats all for now :)

Have a great day

Working for SignPost International

2009-10-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

Howdy

I probably should have mentioned this sooner but Abertay University was approached by Signpost International a Community help Group who want to make a Documentary - long story short Im helping :) and Tomorrow is the first day of shooting so It will be invaluable knowledge as Ive only made one scripted action film short Directed and Played by me :P and partially filmed and edited by.

So working with a Team the same size, 3, And I'm not sure If i can say much more about it right now, will need to ask :)

So yeah look out for the Video some time soon hope you enjoy :)

Have a great day

Another list of cool inventions

2009-10-26T07:34:00.001-07:00

Howdy :)

Heres another link to another msn gallery (which has been shown before) that is focused on inventions to make the human body 'better' - which I always enjoy as you know if you read my blog :)

HERE

Here are some of the images incase you dont want to navigate away :P

The Argus II

The Argus II is a minuscule artificial eye that attaches to the retina via 60 electrodes. Stephen Rose, chief research officer at the Foundation Fighting Blindness, says it has “great potential for giving vision to people with the most advanced retinal disease.” With the second phase of human trials underway, expect production models this year.

Revolution

The soon-to-be-released Revolution is a dumbbell with a hi-tech difference: you can choose how heavy it is without the need to attach more weights. Spherical weights spin inside the dumbbell at different speeds. The faster they go, the more outward force is generated and the heavier it feels. You select the load you want, shown on the LCD display. Designer Sang-Hoon Lee told T3, “Many people don’t work out because of a lack of space and time, but because this is slim and light – once turned off – it allows busy people to exercise.”

i-Limb Hand

Developed in Scotland, the i-Limb Hand from Touch Bionics is literally a bionic hand, so the future has arrived. As things stand, you wouldn’t chop off a good hand just to get one, but as Ray Edwards, boss of the Limbless Association commented on his own i-LIMB: “It has given me such a boost, both physically and mentally. It has changed my life.”

HAL

Finally, if you can’t be doing with upgrading your body one bit at a time then the robot suit HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb – not to be confused with the homicidal computer in 2001: A Space Odyssey) will do the job in a single, step-motored reboot.Japanese manufacturer Cyberdyne Inc (not to be confused with the homicidal computer company in The Terminator) plans to make 500 this year. HAL’s inventor Yoshiyuki Sankai reckons the suit can, “multiply human strength by a factor of two to ten”. It also makes you look like a gladiator from Tron.

Look nice don't they :)
Hopefully soon I will get to go to another ECA Art showing which always opens your mind when seeing fresh minds work on the materials and skills used by other artists than in your own media - sometimes both :P

Have a great day

Question edited

2009-10-26T04:23:00.000-07:00

Howdy

This is what I am thinking of modifying it too

What bearing does the amount of sound effects in any scene in a film have on how that scene is interpreted?

So just mixed a round a little :P but Im still thinking of changing 'any scene' in a film to something more specific atm this isn't a terrible set back so soon I will go ahead and draft my first proposal with tasks objectives and then think about the exact aim again :)

Have a great day

Question formulation

2009-10-23T08:33:00.000-07:00

Howdy

This is what I have at the moment:

Does the amount of sound effects in any scene in a film have any bearing on how that scene is interpreted?

I have somewhat left the animation idea on backburner as for the style i would like to use my audio in i believe it would need to be created as the style in films is only in short increments like predator / alien, or mousehunt = camera angles suggesting the view through the 'character's eyes.

Have a great day

Vocals mixing

2009-10-23T07:19:00.001-07:00

Howdy

researching into singing vocals mixing at the moment then will move onto film, for music it seems the key points are

1----compressor tiny bit use sparngly

2----16K haaa air frequency - boost
high pass filter at 86hz
-250hz muddy freq experiment with this

3----compressor at 6k down to about -24db to avoid the hiss from 's' only when there is a peak at 6k

:) peachy - from Tutorial 1: Mixing Vocals in Pro Tools Series Part 1 on Youtube

Also its usually best for home recordings to use a nice warm dynamic mic like a Shure SM58, well I dont have 100 pounds to splash on a mic so got the much cheaper Shure C606 which has been tested and is sounding good so far - I might just need to get a portable vocal booth as im using a sheet of card atm which only cancels some background noise and reverb.

have a great day

The new song i was working on :)

2009-10-23T05:32:00.001-07:00

Howdy

I managed to create a short loop based on the composing technique of Greg Edmonson who composed the soundtracks to Firefly :)

You may not recognise the similarity but its in one of his songs :P

you can hear it at my website song 11, or Here Hope you like it :)

Have a great day

Floating citys

2009-10-23T05:14:00.000-07:00

Howdy

Loving the new innovation of these floating city designs :P all at

This Link

Heres some images if you dont want to navigate away :) All done by Architect Vincent Callebaut/Image © Philippe Steels.

have a great day

This is what inspires me in my audio creation :)

learning from the masters

2009-10-22T08:44:00.001-07:00

Howdy

Today im listening to Greg edmonson a composer for the series Firefly and from the song 'In my bunk' i am taking key points from the song and seeing if I can create a soothing melody in the same way :)

more update on that soon

have a good day

sound study

2009-10-22T05:15:00.000-07:00

Howdy

Just to get some ideas going and trying new things I recorded some ambience outisde my flat a ew nights ago and now have converted one clip of that which had chattering a car a bus or two etc into what i call the bus reactor :P

original track > HERE
Bus reactor > HERE

Just to show you can get nearly anything from any sound.

Also some inspiration that hekps me is the sculpture and fine art students at ECA, edinburgh College of Art and one 3rd year group has a site which i built and they designed with soem hosted pictures and links to their blogs :)

Bru-d Website

And lastly for today my website where I put all my creative music up on but not sound effects as of yet as its a lot to get through and would put up a few if demanded :)

My Website

have a great day