PROJECT PROPOSAL MADA1

Working title: Intersecting Lives

Aims
Intersecting lives is a project based on a merger of two short films through which the author wants to enhance aesthetically the graphical representation of a subject by using digital media and techniques. The viewer would be observing two films at the same time. The concept of the film is based on a single character having two alternate lives. The author of this proposal would attempt to predict the choice of the viewers among two options as a result of their audio/visual treatment.
The aim is to make two synchronized films and observe the viewers attention by recording their reaction. And explore the combination of 2D layers, Alpha Channels and 3D animation.

Objectives
The main objectives of the project are as followings.
The Usage of different treatments to enrich and furbish the graphical portrayal of the subject
To explore the combination of 2D layers, Alpha Channels and 3D animation
To make two synchronized films and observe the viewers attention by recording their reaction

Rationale

Art Form

The author of the project wants to compose two films which would then be played simultaneously to the target audience. This would be achieved by playing two movie clips on a projector/ Television. Depending on the media that would be finalized the author also aim to make the video interactive for the audience.

Movies Concept

The Concept of the movie is based on a character and his alter ego. This idea was derived from the living style of the main stream people in a metropolis. Inspirited by living in the fast and dynamic environment of London and Athens where the author has spent most of his life. It has been observed by the author that the people living in a metropolis city struggle and is in entropy. These live are influenced heavily by the close as well as wider environmental conditions in which the person lives.

The first movie describes a person who is career oriented and wants to achieve status in the society. He is not the life of the party and is usually found lonely. But this person is highly respected in his career life. His hard work has paid off by reaping him what he has invested in.
In the second movie is the alter ego of the same person is shown. In this life form he is life of the party. He is a failure in his career life and is trying hard to make the ends meet. But enjoys his social success and is popular with the women and friends.

Why the intersecting lives?

The author is a found philosophy and history. He read a book by Plutarch, titled "Paralliloi Vioi"(Parallel Lives). Plutarch (46-127AD) was Greek historian, biographer, and essayist. In his book he takes examples of famous people from Roman and Greek era and fined similarities in their lives. This notion was at the back of the authors mind and gave birth to the concept of this movie when he experienced life in the metropolis city. Intersecting lives is reverse concept of the "Paralliloi Vioi" it is based on two opposite life styles of the same person. It shows two life paths that a single person can take resulting in two different consequences.

Treatment and Techniques

The author would rely on two major techniques for the treatment of the video. One being the usage of Alpha channels and 2 D layers and the other is going to be Toon rendering.
Alpha channel is an 8-bit layer in a graphics file format that is used for expressing translucency (transparency). The extra eight bits per pixel serves as a mask and represents 256 levels of translucency. For example, TIFF and PNG are graphics formats that support the 8-bit alpha channel. The GIF89a format supports a 1-bit alpha channel that allows one color on the palette to be translucent. Graphics formats that are native to their image editing application may support multiple alpha channels. (http://computing-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com)
Toon rendering animation (also called "cartoon rendering", "cel-shading" or "cell-shading") is a type of non-photorealistic rendering designed to make computer graphics appear to be hand-drawn. Cel-shading is often used to mimic the style of a comic book or cartoon. It is a relatively recent addition to computer graphics, most commonly turning up in console video games. Though the end result of cel-shading has a very simplistic feel like that of hand-drawn animation, the process is complex. The name comes from the clear sheets of acetate, called cels, which are painted on for use in traditional 2D animation, such as Disney classics. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki)
The Alpha channels and 2D layers are going to be used to create the environment of the video. For example the background and the props in are going to be in alpha channels. The characters in the video would be rendered in toon rendering technique.
The Alpha channels are going to be used to achieve a surrealistic style. The author would try to create an out of the world environment. The blending of a 3D character in this surrealistic environment would be used to give it an eye catchy modern look.

Outcomes

On satisfactory completion of this project, the author is going to demonstrate:
Practical skills in management of projects.
Morphing scenes and switching channels
Experience and ability to fulfill the needs of a client.
Practical skills in Techniques used for the project.
Increase background and knowledge by researching in the right context.
An ability to express the author’s idea into visual art.

Media

Software

•1 3D Studio Max
Maya
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Premier
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Nero CD/dvd burner
Windows XP

Hardware

Fujitsu Siemens Pentium 4 (Laptop with CD Writer)
Samsung Digital Camera




Methodologies

The screening

The Author would like to make to videos played simultaneously. Depending on what hardware facility that would be provided by the university on the day of exhibition, the author would decide on how to present the videos. The two ideas that would be finalized with the consent of the course leader are:
The videos would be screened on two walls on different angles.
Or played on a screen or a TV where the audience would have the power to change from one video to the other. This would add interactivity for the audience.

Research

o Visual Research
For visual research the author would use the resources available in the library and would also use internet. Here the author would act upon the guidelines provided by his tutors to concentrate on the right resources to gain maximum benefit in minimal time.

o Contextual Research
The contextual research the author intend to research on the internet and cinema, exhibitions so he can improve his existing knowledge of short film and digital art.

o Technology Research
The author intend to do research in the technological methods and tools used in the developing alpha channels and Toon rendering. This would help him to enhance his creativity to new dimensions.



Risk Assessment

The author will evaluate the project on different stages to prevent possible failure in meeting the objectives of the project. Following are the possible risk that can occur.

Virus Infection:
The author is going to use the latest anti-virus and keep it updated in order to prevent the infection of virus. Back up copies would be made on external drives and on write-able CD’s to prevent data loss.

Failure of Hardware:
The equipment used to execute the final presentation of the project would be checked in advance in order to avoid malfunction during the exhibition. Back up of presentation would be taken in two or more forms for example. In the form of DVD and USB external drive.
The other factors of risk like unexpected accidents or health problem are not being considered here as they are beyond the control of the humans.

Timetable

December –

Project Planning
Determining Critical path to reach project objectives
Research on Alpha Channels and blue screenResearch on the 3D modeling
Research on Animation
Research on Concept of Alter Ego
Story boards

January

Experimenting techniques of Alpha Channels
Experimenting and Research in Toon rendering
Script Writing
Researching Sound track and Voice over
Finalizing in Style and Concept

February

Executing the project
Bit budgeting

March – April

Presentation of prototype
Editing

May – June

Presentation and reflection









Bibliography
Web Reference:
Definition of Alpha Channels Retrieved: November 25, 2005 from http://computing-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/alpha+channel
Definition of Toon rendering Retrieved: November 22, 2005 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cel_shading
Background and concept Retrieved: October 23, 2003 from http://www.hdfcbank.com/index.htm

Book Reference:
Friedlein, Ashley. (2001), "Web Project Management", Morgan Kaufmann Publisher, San Francisco.
Mestrius, Plutarch. (unknown), "Parallel lives", Harvard University Press.

Movies Reference:
For Background and concepts:
The Double Life of Veronique (1991)
Being John Malkovich (1999)
Fight Club (1999)

shakespeare sonnet no138

The animation of this short film "Sonet no138" is simple but really cool. The scenery is mystic and with glowing effects making more surrealistic and fairy tale look.Designed and directed by Dave McKean at Hourglass .Client: Illuminations Films/BBC.

VINCENT

Tim Burton

Tim Burton is one of a kind, story teller and film maker. It is so important to recognise a director even from the poster of the movie, means that this guy has a recognised and respected style. Of course his style is not 100% unique as he has been also inspirated by the German Expressionism and "The cabinet of doctor Caligari". I am not going to look at "Nightmare before X-mas" or "My corpse bride" which i really enjoy but mostly on "Vincent" and "Sleepy Hollow". Don't take me wrong... I am not going to make a gothic movie, I just make research on the 2d backgrounds which give a surrealistic atmosphear. Vincent is one of this movies where the backgrounds are most of the time drawings and I think is his first stop-motion movie.

Wednesday 23-11

In this Axels, lecture we took some help by the discussion on our projects. We talked about the expression of different languages for example 'space' is described different in Digital Art of videogames where there are different interfaces etc.We had a discussion about how silence and nothingness can be explained in digital arts? Like white noise? like blank? maybe nothingness exist compare to something?etc. Later the convarsation came to if we loook at insects organization we can make a self organizing information. There were some difficulties as long as insects organization is something natural. In the end we talked about some interesting web-sites and works

German Expressionism

I have found some basic similarities between the the German Expressionism and the 3d movie methods of 2d layers/A-channel and machinima engine. German Expressionism referred to as expressionism in filmmaking, developed in Germany (especially Berlin) during the 1920s. During the period of recovery following World War I, the German film industry was booming, but because of the hard economic times filmmakers found it difficult to create movies that could compare with the lush, extravagant features coming from Hollywood. The filmmakers of the German UFA studio developed a method of compensating for the lack of high budgets, by using symbolism and mise-en-scène to insert mood and deeper meaning into a movie.

The first Expressionist films, notably The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919), The Golem (1920), and Nosferatu (1922) were highly symbolic and deliberately surrealistic portrayals of filmed stories (from wikipedia).

Creating 3d movies there also some tips to make the budget lower. These are Alpha channels and 2D layers for the backgrounds and the enviroment, engines like machinima and low-poly characters. All these methods are used especially in video games because the producers need to make the job with less heavy files so the games can run fast in the console or computer, which means less hours of rendering and of course less cost.

ANIMATRIX

Animatrix is one of the most famous movies made with toon rendering treatment. Ok i am talking about the majority of the 9 short films. Personally I prefer it in comparison to Matrix, because I find it deeper in scenario and more artistic as movie.

Toon Rendering by SYNTHETIQUE

SYNTHETIQUE digital effects -animation

For me very important in the art is the treatment, and most of the times an artistic style takes its name because of that. The way you express and expose yourself through the art. Something quite new, successful and eye catchy in 3d animation is the "Toon Rendering" part of the "non photorealistic rendering". In other words is the 3d model/props or enviroment rendered as 2d traditional cartoon. I am excited by this kind of rendering and i would like to challenge myself and achieve a good quality toon rendering for this project. While I was making research I discovered two French briliant films : one experimental, the "Bizzare Triangle" and one music video by Thomas Fersen "Deux Pieds". Later I found out that they belong to the same company "Synthetique" and the same artist Jérôme Combe .

You can check some of their works in this site:

and you can also download one video in:

PGPD-Rego

IN the PGPD of 9th November Paul Coldwell presented to us works from Paula Rego. I don't know how related can be to my work but I find interesting her love for the figure and her alligoric style. I am fan of the figure too so i did some research about her. In wikipedia I found informations about the she works:
Rego's style is often compared to cartoon illustration. As in cartoons, animals are often depicted in human roles and situations. Later work adopts a more realistic style, but sometimes keeps the animal references - the Dog Woman series of the 1990s, for example, is a set of pastel pictures depicting women in a variety of dog-like poses (on all fours, baying at the moon, and so on).

Paula Rego

PRESENTATION

10th of November my and 2 more classmates Balca and Peter presented and proposed our projects.
Balca presented us some previous works from her magazine "Cyberdog" and talked about her project which is going to be about the freedom in the cyber world. Balca believes that in order to communicate you loose yourself or a part of yourself and she gave us some examples from Bible/Quran and political society.
Peter projected some previous video and photography works. Videos about mass media and expressed his interests in making videos about religion, advertising, politics and mixed. As I understood his project will be related to the life in geometric shapes for example the structure of the buildings the farms etc.
I presented previous graphic design and a few video works too. I said that I wanted to try something new using the knowledge of my background and learning also new methods during this year. I will try to see how an artist with the use of effects and other methods can predict the attention of the audience. In this case I am going to make two narrative films screened at the same time, their theme is alter-ego and generally how people living in a metropolis struggle to combine career and fun.

Machinima samples

Machinima

Another field I had to research was MACHINIMA. When Andy heard during the tutorial about the techniques I am going to use for the 3d animation part of my project, he gave me this reference. Is really impressive especially for the PC users because they can save a lot of time in rendering by this professional tips of Mchinima. But what is Machinima? I found this answer in the site www.machinima.org

Machinima (muh-sheen-eh-mah) is filmmaking within a real-time, 3D virtual environment, often using 3D video-game technologies.

In an expanded definition, it is the convergence of filmmaking, animation and game development. Machinima is real-world filmmaking techniques applied within an interactive virtual space where characters and events can be either controlled by humans, scripts or artificial intelligence.
By combining the techniques of filmmaking, animation production and the technology of real-time 3D game engines, Machinima makes for a very cost- and time-efficient way to produce films, with a large amount of creative control.

What are the advantages of Machinima?

Machinima provides:

• the real-time recording of human/scripted performances and events - akin to shooting film; eliminates the rendering process.

• the creative flexibility of artistic assets moved over time – akin to animation; allows total control over visual representation of characters, events, etc.

• an interactive environment – provides a space where characters can interact and real-world physics can be reproduced.

• Hardware driven playback is resolution independent.

Because Machinima can be shot live or scripted in real-time, it's much faster to produce than traditional CGI animation. A live action director should feel right at home and an animation director will be able to direct without having to rely on key frames. Multiple takes can be made in real-time or just a few takes while the rest is adjusted in post, dependent on the director's style.

Additionally, instead of rendering frames of animation or video streams, some Machinima is recorded at the data level – only capturing positions, orientation and other pertinent pieces of information for the 3D assets to be drawn and animated during playback. Data-recorded Machinima also allows for editing at the data level – where you can add characters, adjust camera angles, create camera moves, fine-tune animation, etc. It's much like doing a reshoot without having to call back the cast and crew –further blurring the lines between production and post-production.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is so significant about shooting live Machinima?

Shooting live Machinima can produce a considerable time and cost savings - up to 30-40% and is a radical departure from the traditional key frame animation process. Now animation directors can direct puppeteers as they manipulate the character models in real-time. A live action director can also relate as what happens is in real-time .

For the people who intrested in 3d animation and have faced production and rendering problems I also recomend these sites:

www.machinima.com
www.machinima.org

Diana Thater

november

November!
Was the busiest month of this year for me... I was working full-time during the night in a club and at the same time tried to attend the University (full time as well) as much as I could. Anyway I quitted the job so I can from December and on concentrate in the course only :)

The first week of December I was searching the referances that Andy gave me,afterb the tutorial. I looked the work of Diane Thater who is a very famous video artist from San Francisco. Since 1990 she has been working with video and large-format video projection. Famous works are "The Broken Circle", "Dark Matter","Installation View","Knots + Surfaces"