the TOOLkit

The TOOLkit

• All the skills, know how and can - do stuff that I know already have in my toolKIT:
• Draw and Sketch
• Microsoft Paint
• Adobe Photoshop (Still learning)
• Adobe Illustrator (Still learning)
• Edit videos with Windows Live Movie Maker fluently
• Make collages
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Publisher
• Macromedia Fireworks
• Able to install software and operate hardware well
• Fruity Loops Studio 10 make music and beats
• Digital Camera
• Phone
• E-mail
• Film scratching

• Other skills:
• Play the drums
• Play Xbox 360
• Kung-Fu (Just started Karate)
• Do Parkour
• Speak Cantonese

• All the skills, know-how and can-do stuff that I don't yet have in my toolKIT:
• Improve Adobe Photoshop skills
• Learn more about Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Premier
• Adobe After Effects
• Adobe Flash
• Adobe In Design
• Making Models
• Prosthetics/Special Effects
• Photography: Use dark room and different techniques
• Painting (Acrylic, Oil etc)
• Use colouring pencils better
• Edit pictures well/retouching
• Different areas of photography
• Film/35mm cameras
• Film 16mm cameras
• Super 8 Cameras
• Different lenses
• Image resoloution
• Shutter speed
• Exposure
• 3D modelling
• Using 3D modelling software such as 3DSMax or Maya
• CGI
• Learn more about DSLR Cameras
• Developing film
• Using celluloid
• Improve overall drawing ability especially for concept art and figurative drawing
• Life Drawing
• Observational Drawing
• Traditional cel animation
• Rotoscoping
• Computer Coding
• Screen writing
• Character Development
• Storyboarding

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Building a Character


Three parts that build up a character whether it be in film or animation are:

• Psychology: (Mental): Motivations
• Physiology: (Physical): Appearance/Habits
• Sociology: (Social): Interactions

This can be represented by the 3 Structure Triad:

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Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) Workshop

Digital Single-Lens Reflex cameras takes light into the lens and uses shutter and mirror.

Parallax viewfinder - point of convergence.

Stereoscopic vision.

Light hits mirror, shutter goes off sends light into your eye.

Insert image here


Exposure Triangle

Exposure of the picture is a affected by these three factors:

• Aperture
• Shutter Speed
• ISO

This diagram represents and explains this:

Below are notes on the aperture and lenses of DSLR cameras.

With this workshop I learnt many useful and informative things about the different functions of the DSLR camera and how these functions can affect the quality of the image. I learnt about the shutter speed, ISO and aperture settings, how they function and that altering them and their settings can affect an image. I have also learned about the process behind depth of field and how the focus of the image can change. I've also learned about the Parallax effect and different camera techniques that can make a scene interesting such as contra zoom.

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3 Point Lighting

3 point lighting is the use of three different positions for three spot lights when taking a picture or filming. This is because this lighting technique can fill in the darkest areas and soften shadows,  provide separation from the background and give more depth and aesthetic interest to the image. This is commonly used for TV/Film Production and Photography shoots.

The three lights are the:

Key Light: Key Lighting is the main light which is the brightest and has the most influence on how the shot looks. This light is usually aimed onto the model's face.

Fill Light: The fill light is the secondary light which is usually placed opposite the key light. It is used to fill or soften any shadows created by the key light. It is usually less brighter than the key light.

Back Light: Finally the back light is usually placed behind the model and it's purpose is to provide definition and subtle highlights around the model's outlines which then helps to separate the model from the background giving a more three dimensional look to the model helping them stand out.

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Glossaries of Media Concepts:

Film Glossary

Direct Sound: This is sound that is captured and recorded during filming. It refers to films that do not add components in post production such as sound effect or dialogue. This creates a more documentary style atmosphere to the film as it can record ambient or wild, unpredictable sounds. It also sounds more natural and real which works well for a documentary style film.

Reverse-Angle Shot: It is a shot that is taken by a camera positioned opposite from where the previous shot was taken. Shot/Counter-shot or Short Reverse-Shot sequences are called this when reverse angles are alternated for dialogue sequences.

Animation Glossary

Slowing In and Slowing Out: This is where in the animation sequence, certain actions are either slowed or speeded up which highlights the entertainment value of the scene. The fewer drawings there are in a sequence, the faster the animation will appear. The more drawings there are in the sequence, the slower the action will appear.

Character Designs: This is when characters for an animated from are drawn from multiple different angles in a poster style format which is known as a model sheet. This is then used as a reference for the animators.

Photography Glossary

Saturation: It is the attribute of a perceived colour or the percentage of hue in a colour. Colours that are saturated are called vivid, strong or deep and colours that are desaturated are called dull, weak or washed out.

Retouching: It is the alteration of a print or negative effect after development by the use of dyes or pencils to alter the tones of highlights, shadow and other details or to remove blemishes in the picture.