Pathway decision-Mini Essay..?

I'm really struggling to decide which pathway to choose for year 2..I feel like iv'e got to make a quick decision when there is so much work I have yet to do and experience to see which I like best or enjoy the most. WHICH DO I GO FOR? I don't want to rule out any just yet..however each week I seem to be moving further and further away from Interactive Media. Simply because I JUST DON'T GET IT. And when I feel i have got it, you go to test the movie and oh look ERROR! it doesn't work. So this gets me thinking..what if I encounter the same problem when I start the next two projects???!!!! Because Iv'e seen the look of 3D max and mannnn that looks complicated as hell. Who knows. Well that just leaves me with moving image then rightt?

Right then...for the mini essay I'm gunna do, I'll go with Moving Image. Where to start?

The Cabinet of Dr Calagari

This film was written in 1919, and later shot in 1921- the first film in history to be told in flashback, in Mr. Francis' point of view. It is also supposed to be the first real horror film due to it revealing a twist at the end, turning out to be told as a fantasy.

The design for this film was influenced by German expressionism, using painted backdrops and props- I think this makes it quite apparent to see the transition between theatre and film.

There are similarities between this film and Alfred Hitchcock's work, due to the idea of the 'twist'. Other influences established were Tim Burton- in terms of set design, Terry Gillingham and Frankenstein.

Research is: "thinking about thinking"

Research-What & How?

My definitions:

What is research? - gathering and collection of information/images to further your knowledge on a particular subject

How do we do research? - books, online, films, people

When does research start? - an ongoing process.

Creativity

What has my creativity been for in the past few years?

My creativity has always been to lead on from one thing to another - in other words to accomplish something new that I have wanted or planned to achieve. Such as using my creativity in school to get me into A levels, creating various pieces of work including 3D work. This creativity was used to be accepted onto an Arts Foundation course where I developed a broader portfolio from three different subject areas and life drawing classes, which I did so I could go to Uni.

Who has it been for?

I think my creativity has been for me, in the way that when I feel excited and proud of what I have achieved, but also for others. Others may of benefitted from my work or been inspired for their own. Even more so now, as I have constantly uploaded my ideas and work online, whether they are in working progress or completed.

Why have I done it this way? Has this been my decision or someone else's?

It has always been this way, as from early on I knew I wanted to do something creative, rather than academic. I was able to realise this from a more realistic point of view, which subjects I were more motivated and enthused about. Therefore this has been my decision.

What do I want the future of my creativity to be?

Now my first thoughts here would be of absolute brilliance, but realistically I'm thinking I want it to be used in something I could enjoy...such as film production. This is something I have recently been interested in after doing a LOT of hard thinking on deciding which pathway to take next year. But who knows by the end of the term I might change my mind. I think something or somewhere where it can be benefitted in a variety of ways.

In which specific way/s can research help me get to these new places?

Research can help gain a better knowledge and understanding on something such as a particular project. For example, at the moment I don't feel confident or comfortable using Flash. Iv'e taken out a book on Media Tools where I have been able to read upon this subject and have found it quite useful. Therefore research has made me feel more motivated and almost feel like you have a head start.

Which research starting point do I feel most drawn to?

Probably Pilot stage. I think this would give you a good basis to then progress further. However, possibly even Explanatory. This is because sometimes just reading explanations can become confusing and make you unsure where to start with your own.

Which do I feel wary of?

I believe Descriptive wouldn't be very useful for a starting point in research. I feel it would take a long time to come up with, and doesn't look at a full range of possible options.

Which seem irrelevant?

I wouldn't say any type of research was irrelevant, just some are more useful than others. However, that may also depend on the type of project being undertaken.

Back to Uni

After a long Xmas break, it was along first day back with a lecture and two seminars. However, it seems we are now joining up with 'Theatre Design' and 'TV and Film' in some of our lectures. This was very different and in some way interesting. I thought the students in these courses knew an awful lot about their subject, most of which was historical based. This is very different to us Multimedia students as we tend to look to the future of technology development and new ideas. It was strange to hear how similar subjects learn and develop skills in such diverse ways.

So, straight after that came our first seminar of the term, where we were asked to:
"Write about your practitioner development activity (non-classroom or university work based activity only). So independent study activity is the focus. Reading, watching, talking, listening, making might all fit as independent practitioner development".

Ways that I further myself through independent practitioner development:

Learning techniques and skills in my own time
I have been familiarising myself with Adobe Flash by looking at the tutorials online. Apart from in Design Practice 1, I have never used Flash before. Interactive Media is my first project this term and I was introduced to new techniques when making our new game, such as the movement (animation) of objects. I feel i have very little knowledge of the software and therefore use the tutorials to keep me informed of the basics.

Reading

I am constantly looking at various journals for inspiration, and also to get ideas flowing about future projects that some are doing before me. I also intend to read 'Digital Media Tools', By N.Chapman & J.Chapman, and 'Digital Multimedia', by the same authors, as these are the suggested books for Interactive Narrative. I have requested them from Clifton, so hopefully I can have a look at them soon to see if they are of any use to me.

Watching

I like to watch various types of films in my spare time, those of all genres. It is always interesting to think how some films are made. I think watching films can in some way broaden and influence your own ideas, possibly giving you reference within our own projects.

Talking & Listening

I have spoken to other students starting different projects to me this term. It is interesting to hear what they are doing, as I will be doing that project at some point. I feel it triggers ideas early, which can then be combined with initial ideas when actually being taught that project.