Sound Terminology and Key Words

Ways of hearing sounds

Casual Hearing - When you expect to hear a certain sound based on what you can see

Semantic Hearing - Form of communicating through sounds

Reduced Hearing - Removing the sound from its source

Dimensions of sound

Height - The volume or EQ

Width - The channels of sounds/panning (Right and Left)

Depth - The echo or reverb

Scale to pitch ratio

If the scale is bigger the pitch is lower

If the pitch is bigger the scale is lower

Six attributes of sound

Frequency

Amplitude

Timbre

Envelope

Spatialisation

Rhythm

My Final Video

In the end I actually did use myself as the character of the film as when I went to film no one was available. This was fine with me however because it meant I could work at my own pace, I framed and focused the camera first imaging the scene with me in it. Because I could not see how the character would be in the footage I ended up with some interesting shots which I was happy with. I lit the scene naturally with the light coming from the window next to the desk here the subject sat. I edited the shots based on what was happening with the animation. I used the more interesting shots at the beginning before it started, then the longer simple shots of me on the laptop, when I want all the focus on the animation, Then finally a shot of me shutting down the computer to end the film, when I click 'Shut Down...' the visual completely goes black as if I had shut off the video. I decided to make the filmed footage black an white to allow the animation to stand out as it is the main feature, I also thought this made the two screens more compatible and look as if they belong together. I also ended up making the animation slightly darker and more vibrant by upping the contrast.

Finally I added the film name and my name as creator  of the film. I decided to call the film presence because the theme of my film is peoples online presence and using the internet to socialise. I thought calling the film online or social presence would be too obvious, I called it just 'Presence' to give an idea of what the film is about without giving away too much. I believe the font I chose corresponds with the thee of technology as the font is simple and clean combined with geometric webs like the 'world wide web'.

Creating my Twin Screen

To edit my video into a twin screen film I decided to use Adobe Premiere Pro as it is a software I'm starting to become very comfortable using. First I created a new composition and used the dimensions 1080p by 3840p so I had room to edit two videos side by side. Because I didn't yet have any footage for the real life side of the film I filmed myself quickly doing, kind of, what I want in the video to get an idea of the outcome. I also added the music I wanted to use in the film, but again, did not edit it properly so I could get a quick idea of what my film will be like until I film again. I chose this music because it included a simple intro that I could use for the beginning of the film where the animation is not on screen and then the main song itself is very surreal and preppy and works well with the colourful animation in my opinion.

As you can see in the video I also edited the animated side of the film to make it more appealing and coherent to the music. I also wanted the animation to tell a short story. The colours are to symbolise the characters social presence so I also wanted to add an element of social interaction, which is why I duplicated the particle dance above to represent two people socialising online (like Facebook messenger etc). To make the particle dance more interesting I cut it up into shorter sections based on the songs beat. At the start I kept it just the one animation emerging from the bottom of the screen as if the character is just logging in to the account. Then as the bass gets louder in the song I added the second animation coming down from the top of the screen mirroring the first animation, I did this by simply duplicating the layer of the animation and rotating it. Finally I reversed the top video and left the normal to create a more interesting visual for the end to the video. I also decided that I should add an X on the second video to match the first to connect them both together.

Particle Dance Animation

After searching on the internet I really liked the idea of using the particle dance animation so I searched the internet to find tutorials on how to make one and I followed a tutorial by a Youtube called VideoFort to help me create this animation. To add my own personal touch I tweaked some of the instructions given in the tutorial to add more movement to the animation, add more particles around the animation and I chose my own colour scheme. I based the colour scheme around my subject of online presence and thought about the colours you would often see. I used blues because blue is a common colour used in social media as it is a colour that keeps the brain engaged and makes the user somewhat obsessed with the site and yellow and green as they are colours associated with the popular games: The Sims and online social games Habbo and World of Warcraft. When it came to the background I tried both black and white to see which I preferred. I decided to keep it black so the animation would stand out but I didn't like how it looked so flat so I used a gradient from a dark grey to a darker grey to give the animation more depth. Finally I added a glow to the animation to help it shine and stand out further. An issue I had making and exporting my animation was that the file was so large that it cause me a lot of problems when I wanted to watch a preview of what I had done, I could watch the animation itself but not when the extra particles and glow were added which was an annoyance when editing, I had to judge by what I could seen while the preview was still. Also after exporting there was a large X covering the animation, I learned that this was because I had to download a plugin for After Effects to create what I wanted and was using a free trial of the software. Because it was free, I assume the company did not want me to use the software properly. I tried to key out the colour but had difficulty so I tried playing around with the colour of the cross and decided to keep it but now make it a really light grey.

 
This was my final animation that I created and uploaded to Vimeo.

Animation Research

As I did not want to use the typical music visualisation look for my animation I decided to look at videos of other kinds of visuals that I would be able to make on After Effects. First I looked at kaleidoscope animations as they were my first thought when it came to colourful animations and the first video was the one I liked the most, I mostly liked the colour scheme for it and it looks a lot like how I had imagined mine to if I were to create a kaleidoscope animation. The second video is of a particle animation with I found very enticing, the third video below that is also a particle animation but one I found more visually appealing regarding colouring and the actual visual effects. I think I would actually like to make one of each animations to try alongside my video of the real time person and see which animations connect better with the second screen and which has the best effect.

Developing a New Idea

Because the first idea didn't work I decided to think more about what I could do. As the theme for the twin screen project is to look into the relationship between technology and humans, I would like to look into peoples online presence and how people present themselves online/ on virtual reality games where you create avatars, such as The Sims or social online games like Habbo or IMDB. To do this project, my visual idea is to use one screen to show what is actually happening, a person slouched over the computer clicking the mouse and pressing some keys, and then create a colourful fun scenario on the second screen. I have thought of a few ways I could symbolise the way a virtual presence can be more exciting, or seem more exciting, than everyday life.

My first idea was to use the same person but dressed up a bit (wearing nice clothes, hair done) and then showing that person in a colourful space and socialising with people, but I thought this idea was basic and I couldn't think of anyway I could incorporate After Effects.

My next idea was to use simply colour to represent virtual reality. Using colour was a big part of what I thought about animated ways colour could be used. First I thought about music visualisation and how that is basically just colour moving on the screen and gradually changing. I thought this would be a cool way of using animation but I don't really like the harsh look of it so I am planning to look into another form of similar animation that I could do on After Effects. 

Creating the look

To practice, I filmed myself on the webcam of my laptop and used a colour pattern video that I had edited to see how the colours would look overlaying a video, I would have preferred to have used a projector and project colour directly onto the subject but I did not have access to one so I thought I would try and simulate it myself. I think the colours looked cool but I struggled to make them look as if they had been projected onto the subject, the colours almost took over the whole film.

I decided to use Adobe After Effects to make my animation I started off creating a new composition and using the dimensions 1080p by 3840p as I wanted the animation to cover the entire video and float around the middle between the two screens. I created a solid and joined a particle effect to it so I could control the movement of them. Then I changed most of the physics settings to 0 so the particles all make one strait line, after that I made a key at the top and the bottom of the animation so as it plays the line goes from the bottom to the top. Next I changed the gravity settings and thats what made the line fly around. Lastly for the animation I duplicated the particle layer twice so I could create a new path of particles to add to the animation. On one of the layers I reduced the gravity slightly more so it to fly around on its own but from the same point as the other two layers. Then I changed the colours of the particles so they started off withe and faded into pink. Finally I added the glow effect to the particles and changed the background colours, I chose blue and white so the animation could over lay on the video and won't change the colours of the video too much.

Although I do see potential in this idea I'm not sure how well the final piece will come out after my experiments. I also didn't think that the film involved enough After Effects and seemed a bit weak on the development side. Although I may not use this exact 

Virtual Reality Twin Screen

I want to base my project around my idea of online presence and virtual reality. For my film I am planning to create a short fashion film based around colour and use a flare animation to link the videos. The film would not focus on the fashion specifically as that is only used to symbolise the 'futuristic' and fantasy feel from playing a virtual reality game and the avatars that are created in games. I want the film to look like it is in an unrealistic environment with glowing lights and colours (pastel colours: blue, green, yellow, pink). I am planing on using a smoke machine and a projector to create the misty colourful environment and featuring a variety of different angles, shots and camera movements to make the film more interesting and engaging. 

Mindmaping Ideas

Shot List

All shots interior

1. Camera pans around the subject as they watch TV - 8 secs - Long shot
2. Camera films subject watching TV - 4 secs - Close up
3. Subjects eyes not blinking - 4 secs - Extreme close
4. (From side of subject) Subject learns in - 4 secs - Mid shot
5. Relaxed hands and arms - 4 secs - Close up
6. Extremely slowly getting closer to eyes - 4 secs - Extreme close up 
7. Television montage 1 (food)
8. Eyes - 2 secs - Extreme close up
9. Licking lips - 2 secs - Close up
10. Television montage 2 (violence)
11. Eyes - 2 secs - Extreme close up
12. Hands are now fists/crack knuckles - 2 secs - close up
13. Television montage 3 (drugs)
14. Leg twitching - 2 secs - Close mid shot
15. Television montage 4 (sex)
16. Smirk - 2 secs - Extreme close up
17. Television montage 5 (fear)
18. Gulping - 2 secs - Close up
19. Looking in mirror putting on makeup - 6 secs - Mid shot 
20. Drinking coffee - 3 secs - Close up
21. Drops small pizza box onto more boxes (tilts to floor) - 3 secs - Mid shot
22. Gets scissors and starts to cut top - 2 secs - Close up
23. Eats a food - 2 secs - Mid shot
24. Shifty eyes darting around - 2 secs - Extreme close up
25. Cuts top to make it smaller - 4 secs - Mid shot
26. Angry expressions/shouting - 6/8 secs - Mid shot
27. Looking scared - 2 secs - Mid shot
28. Eating more food - 2 secs - Close up
29. Putting on more makeup - 3 secs - Mid shot
30. 'Obviously stoned' - 6/8 secs - Mid/Close up
31. Drinks from a bottle of alcohol - 3 secs - Mid shot
32. Lights cigarette - 2 secs - Close up
33. Eats food quicker - 2secs - Close up
34. Seeing shadow figures and looking around - 6/8 secs - Long shot
35. Anger - 3 secs - Long/Mid shot
36. Snorts 'cocaine' - 2 secs - Close up
37. Smokes cigarette - 3 secs - Mid shot
38. In corner of room screaming - 6/8 secs - Long Shot
39. Sprays self with deodorant - 2 secs - Mid shot
40. Cowering in the corner - 2 secs - Long shot
41. Sprays self with colour spray - 4 secs - Long shot
42. Putting makeup all over face - 6/8 secs - Mid/Close up
43. Drinking more alcohol from bottle - 2 secs - Close up
44. Shoves food in mouth - 3 secs - Close up
45. Stands with alcohol bottles and food all around her, camera slowly moves back - 10 secs - Close to Long shot 

Synopsis & Treatment

Synopsis

A theatrical short film looking into the idea that people can try to control your mind, subconsciously, though the use of certain imagery or sounds. Subliminal messages like these have been used for years and can be as subtle as product placement. This technique is known to be done in 5 different ways through themes of sex, drugs, violence, food and fear. In our film we are planning to address this technique in a dramatised way by putting one character through five scenarios based on these themes. The film will show the character watching a montage of images that symbolise each of the themes and show the effects the images had on her. 

Treatment

Working title: 'Obedience' Duration: 5:00 minutes  Genre: Short Experimental Film Crew: Connor Albinson, Nicole Harman Smith, Rufaro Muambe

Outline Production:  A theatrical short film looking into the idea that people can try to control your mind, subconsciously, though the use of certain imagery or sounds.The film will show the character watching a montage of images that symbolises each of the main themes associated with subliminal imaging (sex, violence, fear, food and drugs) and show the effects the images had on her.  Target Audience: Young adults +, The themes in the film may be too mature or difficult to understand for anyone younger. Visual Elements: Lighting – Dark environment with a single light source (supposedly from the television in the corner of the room). Low key lighting for eerie hard shadow effect. Camera Movement – Variety of movements. Starting from slow paced panning to eventual rapid/jolting movements. Editing – Television montages very fast paced as if the watcher is taking in a lot of information quickly. Real life starts slow in the beginning and fast paced during the effects scene Setting – Preferably, a derelict dark setting that we can make a mess of. Hopefully with electricity for lighting and TV. Actors – Previously 5 actors were needed, one for each theme, but now only one and that character will show the effects herself. Props – Television, makeup, coloured spray, fake blood, scissors, weapon,  Costume – Very simple, white top with plain bottoms. The character with mess with the outfit throughout the film. Audio Elements:  Effects - Certain effects within the montages, screams, diegetic sounds. Music  - If any music is used, likely a song in reverse. Requirements and Resources: Camera, backup camera, tripod, microphone, lighting and diffusers, electricity, production paperwork. Constraints and Contingency: Setting could cause problems, for last resort we can use my house with covered walls and flooring. Legal and Ethical considerations: Not allowing our actor/actress to do anything they may feel uncomfortable with. No use of offensive imagery, this could be the character harming themselves in a triggering way.

Collected Clutter | Evaluation

Overall I am pretty happy with my final images and i'm pleased with the photos I decided to choose to use in my final collection. I thought the colouring of faded pink and pale blue for the photos worked well together and connected them all visually. I think keeping around 50mm framing was a good idea as it gave the pictures more depth and challenged me to find a more interesting angle to shoot at. Editing the photos, I think that using Adobe Lightroom to edit was a good idea as it is easy to use when changing the colouring and I found it much simpler than photoshop for colour correction. However if I were to do the project again I would've edited my pictures without the grain and made the pictures a bit more colourful, even though I was going for an 'old photo' look, I think more colour would go well in the photos. I would have also printed my photos on the silk paper rather than matte because the shiny paper would keep more of the colour in the picture and would suit the pictures better. It was also a shame that I was unable to create my pictures with the models in then as I thought the concept was interesting and it would have given me a chance to practice a style of photography that I really like. It was unfortunate that the models I had planned to take photos of were not available to shoot with on the times arranged. From this project i've learnt that I should have more confidence in my pictures and go with my gut when it comes to editing. I have also acquired the knowledge that the printer will print photos much darker and less colourful than they are on the computer. I will remember this for future projects.