AfterEffects

So I've finally cracked down to this work (with a five day extension for personal stuff) and AfterEffects, I've decided, is evil. Rendering is slow and apparently, it doesn't like two strokes on one layer.. AGH!!! Also, due to these personal issues, I can no longer use the computer I was using beforehand and found out that the font I was using was a downloaded one. And so, Tasha had to start again. A video to cheer us up me thinks- inspiration to keep me on the right track :)

Postsecret and Saatchi

I love community art. And I love being nosy. So Postsecret is like that perfect merge of the two. Its saved lives I tell ya! If you fancy something other then Facebook to browse in those fifteen minutes of breaktime I suggest this website (although the books seem more organised if you're inclined that way)- it can give you hope and inspiration on any given Sunday (when the postcards change). And it sort of gives me a little nod to animation with the creator now making these videos (I suppose, to ignite the YouTube boys and girls). It's a surprise everytime- funny, witty, sad, poignant, life affirming etc. It was all to do with the fact that now our lives are so busy and so media centric we miss out on the little moments that affect every single one of us.

On another note. I've come across this rather interesting advert campaign. By Saatchi and Saatchi no less. Dr Martens asked for a one-off advert for their boots. It's become quite contraversial. Seeing as, you know, it uses dead rock stars to sell their product.


It's amazing what Photoshop can do now huh? I'm not sure if I like it. I get the meaning- 'Dr Martens for Life' but apparently the uproar from families of the dead stars (who weren't notified) meant DM had to apologise and sever contact with Saatchi. Seems like one of those things where it wouldn't be noticed if there wasn't such a shitstorm.

Dr Martens

Postsecret

Illness, Experiments and After Effects

So, I've been ill this past week, but figured I would do some checking out of After Effects. Looking into it, the best way to describe it is a 3D Photoshop. Without the photos. Excellent. I'm learning some of the techniques I'll need for my animation.

Experiments- Experimented with Chelsea to self-roll a cigarette. Awesome finished piece which I'll post up soon.

Just a few breadcrumbs to keep the mind active. Enjoy.

Music? Whoop! Stage 1 Complete

Chosen song: Hot Water Avalanche by Lorenzo's Music.

Ignore the video and just listen to the song :)

Shocking Really. Time Does Fly Doesn't It?

So, we have two weeks to finish this brief. So thats me-attached to an animation programme for about the same time (minus toilet and cigarette breaks). I'm feeling After Effects. I understand what Neil is saying, that we only have two weeks and I've never used it before. But I know I could get a better final piece through After Effects. It's important that I work hard at this unit to excel myself in software I'm not sure about, or have never used.

It's important as well, to stay clear on my inspiration and final thoughts. So I give this little nugget of awesomeness to keep me going as I trail through archive.org to find the perfect audio. I figure, once I find the song, I'll be able to start animating it at the speed I'll need.

So while I find my perfect song- have something to distract you. It's very awesome. In fact, this blog will join the limited few tagged as so.

Oh Henry, What Have You Done Now?

I thought it was the lowly internet connection, or maybe it was where I was sat, maybe the room had steel walls that wireless couldn't get through...

Oh no. No no no no. Henry (my laptop) has died again. This time, it's decided the internet is a foul little creature he won't have in his circuits. Henry is a fickle boy. First of all it was CDs, then it was hard-drive failure and now this. For a six month old computer this little fucker has got a lot to answer for. As does PC World.

Why now?

On another, possibly connected, note- my final idea is a positive look at how low-income children are being encouraged into university and how statistics are higher then they've ever been (not as high as they should but it's a start).

And so, I was thinking either kinetic typography (see previous blog where I marvel at these little sunspots of amazingness) on AfterEffects or complete Flash. So this weekend is pure storyboarding. I was a little worried on Wednesday- your average 'Oh God I'm Shit. Let's Go Work In Tesco's' (where, for 50 years of service my retirement day consists of a carriage clock and just-past-their-sell-by-date party food in the staff room where I tell anyone that will listen I once went to university).

I want to make it light-hearted, educational and fast with an upbeat kind of Nike attitude (Just Bloody Well Do It and stop complaining).

And for this blog I've had to travel all the way from Boscombe to university. Feel my pain. And empty wallet.

There Is One Word For Awesome And That Is Wipeable Pen

But first, something to do with stop motion animation. An old video that crept into my mind today. A beautiful song and a sickly sweet music film to go with it. However, embedding has been disabled so I send you a lowly link.

Sia- Breathe Me

Watch it in 480p to get the best results.

So the work of a CV is never done, and neither, it seems are the helpful forced volunteering of bodies. I present to you my CV, two versions:

CV Goodness and the Gods of Type

Today is the CV day...and I've forgotten my memory stick. So! Instead of accepting it was a mistake, I'll use it to my advantage. My CV is dull. Extremely dull. But I don't like making documents look pretty. I like texture! I like type! I like photos! I like...I like...I like Stefan Sagmeister!

Don't mock me, but good ol' Sagmeister is new to me. And I like him. His typography is fun, to the point and different. Reminds me of Type and Tape. Let's stop trying to change the information and lets change where the information is. So a number of experiments:

Type and Tape Revist- self-explanatory

Mike- using my boyfriend's back as an A4 piece of paper

Me- Is there anyway I can write on me?

Some fun Stefan Sagmeister images that are inspirational: