Making of Videos

This is a great example of a making of video, you are really able to get a sense of all the work that went into making the piece of work. The benefit of 'Making of' videos are that they allow for the amount of work that you put into a piece to really be shown. Sometimes you produce a piece that is 20 sec in length, however it may have taken 4 weeks to produce. This is a great format for you to be able to show how much time and effort goes into something.

Logo Design

Here are some logo designs that I recently created for somebody.

http://motionographer.com/

La Fete (HD - 2010) from Malcolm Sutherland on Vimeo.

Described in the videos description as 'A short sketchbook-style animated film',http://vimeo.com/10239065.


I decided to post this because I love the style of this piece. The animation flows really well and the choice of media has been appropriately chosen.

Studio Research - Report 5

Design by Day

http://www.designbyday.co.uk/

This  is the studio that me and Olivia from graphics were going to go on last year, but as they were busy at the time they got in touch and postponed it. However, we were talking the other day and still fancy doing a joint visit.

Something that jumped out at me was the range in the type of work that they produce. They create work that is 2D, 3D and 2.5D. I think companies that open themselves up to the possibility of using more than one medium, give themsleves a large scope in terms of the possibility of projects.


DBD Showreel 2010 from Design By Day on Vimeo.

Studio Research - Report 4

Shilo

http://www.shilo.tv/

Based: New York NY

I became familiar with Shilo a few years ago and one thing that I really like about them is the way that their work varies from projects. I also like the way that they take a mixed media approach to the work that they produce.

An example of their work is:

This piece is one of my favourite pieces that they have created. I love the way that they explore the idea of compostiting, which is soemthing that I would like to do myself. I really like the work of Shilo. One thing that I think Shilo do is that they look at doing projects that aren't hugely commercial.

Studio Research - Report 3

Motion Picture Company

Based: Motion Picture Company have offices in London, Los Angeles and Vancouver

I think that what this company is, is a great example of a company that fully exlpores the use of 3D and its potential. The feeling that I get from this company is that its a very big company and they are big players within the industry.

To name a few of the awards that they have been nominated for in 2010, (found on website,  http://www.moving-picture.com/)

• "D&AD Nomination for Best Special Effects; Plane Stupid 'Polar Bears'
• D&AD Nomination for Best Special Effects; Virgin 'Fantastic Jounrney'
• AICP Nomination for Best Visual Effects; Syfy 'House on the Hill'
• AICP Nomination for Best Visual Effects; Coca Cola 'Finals'
• Prix Ars Electronica Hononary Mention; Plane Stupid, 'Polar Bears'
• Creative Circle Gold Award for Best Special Effects; Heinz 'Bottle'
• BAFTA Nomination for Best Visual Effects; Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince", http://www.moving-picture.com/

I've actually been put in contact with someone from the company, so hopefully I will be able to get together with the contact and arrange a portfolio crit.

 One example of one of their pieces is Evian's skating babies:

Studio Research - Report 2

We Are Seventeen
http://www.weareseventeen.com/

Based: London

By the time that we left 'We Are Seventeen' when we visited them I knew that I wanted to work for a company like them. The team was small and you could definately feel a sense of respect both for the work that they wre producing and between the team themselves. In terms of freelancers they said that they would get them in as and when they needed them and they prefered that they worked in the studio, allowing for the studio atmosphere.

What do I find most interesting?

They produced work that varied in media, they seemed to have a mixed media approach to their projects and not just rely on using one type of media for a project. Also I like the idea of working on a project from start to finish. Taking an idea right through from ideas stage to post production, something that I dont think that you would be able to do in some of the larger companies.

Studio Research - Report 1

www.liquid.co.uk

Based: Liquid TV are based in Soho in London.

I have been interested in the work that Liquid TV have produced for a couple of years now. I am very interested in the 3D work that they produce, but also the way that they explore the ways in which they use 3D to still give quite a flat appearance.

Their website describes the team as being made up of "Varied designers, animators, directors, producers and account handlers"(http://www.liquid.co.uk, Anon, 21/9/10)

"Liquid TV is an award winning cross media creative agency whose emphasis on idents, title sequences, channel branding, promotions and special effects has given us a high level of respect with broadcasters and blue chip clients" (http://www.liquid.co.uk, Anon, 21/9/10)

What do I find most interesting?

That they do all production and post production themselves and they feel that this is why they feel that there able to achieve a great standard in the desgin work that they produce. They believe that this is what makes both their UK and international work stand out.

http://www.artofthetitle.com/2008/04/14/six-feet-under/

A brave one

Idea of perfect crime
sounds of the city

I found the article below whilst looking at the PERFECT CRIME:

"Every year in virtually every country, crimes go unsolved – and sometimes undetected. When someone commits a crime of this type it is called a perfect crime. This is a list of ten tips to perpetrating the perfect crime. I am sure it doesn’t need to be said, this is not meant as a reference for criminals, but rather as an entertaining look at crime and detection.

1. DNA

DNA is the surest way to prove you committed a crime. It is absolute imperative that you do not leave ANY DNA behind you and that is very difficult. The best solution to this is to commit your crime in a place that is likely to have a lot of DNA from strangers. For example, a park, a mall, anywhere that a lot of people tend to gather. Finding your DNA will be like finding a needle in a haystack.

2. Relationship

The large number of crimes committed are committed by someone close to the victim. The police know this well and they know who to question. Your best bet here is to pick someone as random as the victim. This is especially true if murder is your crime of choice. Don’t be tempted to commit your crime against someone you only know in passing – it must be a total stranger.

3. Proximity

This ties in to point 2 – commit the crime in another town. You don’t want to travel so far that you can be connected because you took a trip – just far enough that you are outside of the main area of interest to the police. You also don’t want to be on the road for hours before the crime as you may become tired, or after the crime as you may still be on the streets when the big investigation begins.

4. Type of Crime

Chose your crime carefully. For example, you are almost certain to get caught if you try to rob a bank. Chose a crime that can be committed in the early hours of the morning or that can be done very discretely during the daytime.

5. Evidence

Most criminals are caught because they tried to hide the crime – what they should have been doing is trying to hide any connection they have to the crime. It doesn’t matter if the police know the crime happened. If your crime involves a gun or weapon of some kind, use it and drop it. Leave it at the scene. If you follow point 7 this will not be a problem. If you kill someone, leave the body there. Do not touch the body at all. Do not move the body and do not try to hide the body. And just in case you haven’t understood that last part – that includes using a vat of acid. If you have stolen something, you need to get rid of it as quickly as possible and if it is money, don’t start spending up large – you will draw attention to yourself.

6. Timing

Timing is everything. The best time to commit a crime is in the very early hours of the day when most people are asleep. If you do follow this instruction, remember that you need to look like you are not out of place on the street. That means no full face coverings. The selected time is important when you come to purchase your tools.

7. Tools

First off, you need good thick gloves. The thin ones are not good enough as they can split and it is possible to leave fingerprints if they are sufficiently thin. Do not use anything you own and do not buy brands you normally buy unless they are very generic brands. This means you need to go shopping. Shop out of town and shop in large department stores where you are less likely to be remembered. Remember: very common brands only. You must pay in cash and you must destroy any receipts, or shopping bags. After the crime is committed, destroy everything you bought as quickly as you can and don’t do it in an obvious way, like having a bonfire in your back yard when you have never done so before. Wait at least one month from buying your goods to committing your crime.

8. Alibi

It is wise to have an alibi – though not essential if you have followed all the other rules. It doesn’t hurt however. One way you can do this is to plan an out of town trip and book your hotel and rental car with your credit card. Sign up for a convention and attend. Try to use a hotel with no cameras. In the early hours travel to the place of your crime, commit it, and return. Enjoy the remainder of your holiday (on your credit card) and return home the next day.

9. The Getaway

If you are committing the crime in the early hours, the best mode of transport is by bike. This will enable you to get off the roads if you need and to travel quickly. You do not want to be seen on the street walking (remember, the Zodiac nearly got caught this way) and you don’t want to be the only car on the street at 2am! Take regular cycle clothes and wear them. In the case of murder, if you have dumped the murder weapon you should not need to worry about evidence if you do get picked up. Wear an iPod and maybe a fresh packet of cigarettes – you can always say you were out getting smokes as you couldn’t sleep.

10. Aftermath

First of all, do not watch the television and avoid the papers. The police can use these as tools to try to psych you out. Avoid these things for at least a month. Do not celebrate in any way – continue about your every day life. Do not brag about your crime to anyone (that includes posting here in the comments!)

One final tip: if you do get arrested, this does not mean you have failed to commit the perfect crime. If this happens, do not speak. The police need evidence to convict you – if you have done the job right, there won’t be any. Don’t help the police with testimony. Remember, the court needs to find you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Oh – and if you do get convicted, you might want to read this article on the top 10 tips to surviving prison".

ABOVE ARTICLE FOUND AT: http://listverse.com/2007/08/16/top-10-tips-to-commit-the-perfect-crime/ 

http://www.idscan.co.uk/

This is a great example of how technology is advancing and how it can be used in order to watch people. The above video shows how the IPHONE is being used in order to control a security camera.

"School used student laptop webcams to spy on them at school and home"

"Philly suburb have webcams that can be covertly activated by the schools' administrators, who have used this facility to spy on students and even their families. The issue came to light when the Robbins's child was disciplined for "improper behavior in his home" and the Vice Principal used a photo taken by the webcam as evidence" http://boingboing.net/2010/02/17/school-used-student.html

Full story


I found the section above in an article, when researching surveillance and how our online presence is watched. The above story just highlights how obtrusive surveillance can be.

The trailer above is for the up and coming 'Social Network' film. Definately a film that I like the look of, but also very relevant in terms of subject matter. It's also a great example showing the parallels between social networking and surveillance.

Enemy of the State Title Sequence

This isn't the best title sequence that I have seen, but it does include lots of things within it that infer the idea of surveillance. I like the way that the idea of satellites are introduced and the way that tracking someone is suggested.

Laws against employers looking on Facebook site

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,713240,00.html

Gattaca

This is the trailer for Gattaca:


Although it is about human geno and not surveillance I think that it would be helpful in terms of broadening my investigation. The trailer above looks really interesting so I have ordered it on Love film so hopefully will have watched it by the end of the week.

Deja Vu

I watched this film the other day and loved it! After signing up to Love Film recently we thought that it would be a ideal way to rent a few films that would help with research. This is definitely one! Not just in terms of its title sequence but the way that narrative is explored and the way that a non linear time sequence is used. I will need to write a treatment for the programme that I want to create a sequence for, so by exploring other programme's and films it allows me to get a feel for what I want my sequence to be about.

Parallels to Social Networking

My Summer research has led me to draw connections between surveillance and social networking. Nowadays a lot of information can be found about people online through the platforms of 'FACEBOOK', 'TWITTER' and other networking sites.

A part of my research I started tweeting to over a 1000 followers and lead them to a blog that I set up http://bio-metricks.blogspot.com/ as a way of seeing how stories I was posting would attract/or the opposite, to click on what was being posted.