For this project, my friend Quinn Seal asked me to help him make a video based off of a Korean MadTV under the same name as this post's title for his Korean class. The "Part 2" part of the title is really just for comedic reasons. There really isn't a Part 1, at least that I know of. Basically, it's just a parody of Korean drama where everything is exaggerated. The most noticeable exaggeration are the English subtitles. Quinn and his group members wanted to do the same thing as the Korean MadTV version but with changes to prevent any sort of trouble or issues, even if it's for educational purposes.
The time given to me for this project was extremely short. I was given about a week's time to do everything from shooting on location to post-production. I was also doing an animation for my animation class at the same time so my time constraint was made even shorter to balance the two projects. The camera used for this video was all shot with a point-and-shoot camera. All dialogue was recorded through the mic built into the same camera. In other words, it was an extremely low budget video.
With the time constraints given, the shoot took approximately two days to shoot everything needed. Because it was shot on two separate days, the place we shot at was a bit inconsistent. There were some changes between the two days at the same place but it's subtle enough to where it's not entirely noticeable unless you really look. Post-production took approximately three more days to put everything together and incorporate the soundtracks Quinn gave me to be played at certain parts as well as adding my own soundtrack for the "Showdown" scene and sound effects. In a short five days time span, I was able to produce this video. Even though it's a low-quality, low-budget video, I'm still happy about how it turned out, especially with the time constraint given.
As for working with Quinn and his group, it was a lot of fun. I had to quickly figure out what they wanted for this video because I was asked to do this project on short notice. Quinn provided me with the reference video so after watching it, I got the general idea of what they wanted and I was able to create a shot list for the shoot. Quinn and his group members don't have strong acting experience but they knew what they wanted and whats needs to be done. They all knew their characters' parts and how they should act in each scene. All of this made my directing job a whole lot easier. The only trouble I really had was that someone had to tell me when to cut the camera. I don't speak Korean so I don't know when their done with their line or not.
It was also very amusing because of Julia. Julia is one of those people who just can't stop smiling and/or laughing. It was a real struggle for her to try to be serious for her character. I swear we had to do multiple takes on her because she just wouldn't stop smiling or laughing. It got to the point where we all just kinda gave up and try to use whatever shots we had of her to hide her smiles/laughs in post-production. There are some scenes where it's impossible to do so but in a way, it makes the parody a bit more entertaining since the entire thing is suppose to be comedic anyways.
Overall, it was a very fun project to do even though I was already in the middle of another one. I'm still impressed I was able to produce a decent video in such a short period of time. It felt good for me and the fact that Quinn and his group members got a good grade because of what we made. This video is the first video I've ever shot outside of my school classes and during my own time. I really enjoyed the experience of helping out a good friend of mine do a project as well as take what I've learned in class and apply it outside the classroom with what was given to me.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
The Making of a Machinima Video
This is the second project done for my Film Production class. For this project, the required criteria are it had to be a documentary, synched sound was not allowed, and I was not to be on camera in my own video. All interview answers from the interviewee were to be recorded but cannot be shown on screen talking.
At the time this project was assigned, I was already involved in the final Machinima project for my Machinima class. I figured I would make a documentary on my group for the Machinima project to kill two birds with one stone. I guess in a way, I was a bit lazy but there weren't any rules against it and do two projects at the same time during the semester was a lot of work. I just did what I could to minimize the workload but also do a good enough job to meet the requirements of the assignment.
Originally, I was going to do all the camera work. However, mid-way through the camera shoot, I had to step out to take care of something with the Film Department. Some of the members of my Machinima group were not going to be there by the time I finish so while I was gone, I asked Andrea to take over for me. Unfortunately, she failed to use the tripod that was provided so the majority of the shots that she took were all shaky. I wasn't happy about it but with the time constraint from both projects, I didn't have a choice but to deal with what I got.
The questions being asked are pretty general. Basically all I asked was what their major was and some of the experiences they've had while working on a Machinima project. I used a lavaliere mic provided by the Film Department to record their answers so it was very clean and clear. Everything went smoothly and I didn't really run into any troubles other than trying to steady the shots Andrea made during post-production. Wasn't very successful for the most part on that problem.
At the end of the documentary, I thought it would be great to at least put a finished product of a Machinima video to really give an idea what is being created. With that in mind, I used "The Brake-Up," my second Machinima project, as the example. At that time, my Machinima group was making "Daunting Inferno" but it was in the process of making it and I wanted a finished product so I went with "The Brake-Up" instead.
Overall, it was still a fun experience. It was my first time doing anything like this so it was definitely a learning experience and at the same time have fun with it. My Machinima group were great and were good sports about it too. Most of the people in the group were a bit camera shy and weren't too comfortable with the idea of a camera taping them but I did my best to make them feel like the camera wasn't there like making jokes and such.
At the time this project was assigned, I was already involved in the final Machinima project for my Machinima class. I figured I would make a documentary on my group for the Machinima project to kill two birds with one stone. I guess in a way, I was a bit lazy but there weren't any rules against it and do two projects at the same time during the semester was a lot of work. I just did what I could to minimize the workload but also do a good enough job to meet the requirements of the assignment.
Originally, I was going to do all the camera work. However, mid-way through the camera shoot, I had to step out to take care of something with the Film Department. Some of the members of my Machinima group were not going to be there by the time I finish so while I was gone, I asked Andrea to take over for me. Unfortunately, she failed to use the tripod that was provided so the majority of the shots that she took were all shaky. I wasn't happy about it but with the time constraint from both projects, I didn't have a choice but to deal with what I got.
The questions being asked are pretty general. Basically all I asked was what their major was and some of the experiences they've had while working on a Machinima project. I used a lavaliere mic provided by the Film Department to record their answers so it was very clean and clear. Everything went smoothly and I didn't really run into any troubles other than trying to steady the shots Andrea made during post-production. Wasn't very successful for the most part on that problem.
At the end of the documentary, I thought it would be great to at least put a finished product of a Machinima video to really give an idea what is being created. With that in mind, I used "The Brake-Up," my second Machinima project, as the example. At that time, my Machinima group was making "Daunting Inferno" but it was in the process of making it and I wanted a finished product so I went with "The Brake-Up" instead.
Overall, it was still a fun experience. It was my first time doing anything like this so it was definitely a learning experience and at the same time have fun with it. My Machinima group were great and were good sports about it too. Most of the people in the group were a bit camera shy and weren't too comfortable with the idea of a camera taping them but I did my best to make them feel like the camera wasn't there like making jokes and such.
Daunting Inferno
For the final machinima project, I was once again teamed up with the two Film students from my previous project and two new CS students. These CS students too know the programs so the group was evenly split once again.
The story for this project was pitched by one of my Film major partners. It was actually, a last-minute idea that he came up with just before pitch ideas were due for the class. Turned out to be a decent idea. His philosophy was that what we were going to be doing would be easy on us because we didn't have to do anything too complicated and would limit some of the frustrations that we've had throughout the semester with the programs we use.
The division of work was broken down based on the settings where the animation takes place. I was assigned with all the scenes where the main character talks to the camera. The work load for me wasn't to bad as all I had to worry about was lip-syncing and facial movements. Too bad the lip-syncing portion of the work didn't turn out very well again. The timing isn't right at all. I began to think that maybe the program just doesn't like me at all. That was until the rest of the group was having the same problem. In the end, we did our best and try to weather the storm.
While working on this project, I was also working on a documentary film for my Film Production class. I figure this was an opportunity to kill to birds with one stone: Do a documentary about the making of a machinima video while working on a machinima project. For details on this documentary project, click here.
This is animation is a documentary-type short where a guy tells about his burden having born with powers. Having powers isn't always the best thing and sometimes, it's just a burden as is the case with the main character. His powers is a burden to him as people spontaneously combust if anyone is near him. By the end of the animation, he finally finds a path that his powers are no longer a burden to him.
Despite all the sound and lip-syncing problems with this project, the project was shown at the annual University of Utah's Machinima Fest. This event is a host to projects done by students and are shown off to all that attends the event. The works are based on digital entertainment done by students such as animation shorts, such as the ones I was a part off throughout the Machinima class, and student-made video games. It was a special moment for me to see something that I was a part of to be shown on the big screen for large audiences to see.
The story for this project was pitched by one of my Film major partners. It was actually, a last-minute idea that he came up with just before pitch ideas were due for the class. Turned out to be a decent idea. His philosophy was that what we were going to be doing would be easy on us because we didn't have to do anything too complicated and would limit some of the frustrations that we've had throughout the semester with the programs we use.
The division of work was broken down based on the settings where the animation takes place. I was assigned with all the scenes where the main character talks to the camera. The work load for me wasn't to bad as all I had to worry about was lip-syncing and facial movements. Too bad the lip-syncing portion of the work didn't turn out very well again. The timing isn't right at all. I began to think that maybe the program just doesn't like me at all. That was until the rest of the group was having the same problem. In the end, we did our best and try to weather the storm.
While working on this project, I was also working on a documentary film for my Film Production class. I figure this was an opportunity to kill to birds with one stone: Do a documentary about the making of a machinima video while working on a machinima project. For details on this documentary project, click here.
This is animation is a documentary-type short where a guy tells about his burden having born with powers. Having powers isn't always the best thing and sometimes, it's just a burden as is the case with the main character. His powers is a burden to him as people spontaneously combust if anyone is near him. By the end of the animation, he finally finds a path that his powers are no longer a burden to him.
Despite all the sound and lip-syncing problems with this project, the project was shown at the annual University of Utah's Machinima Fest. This event is a host to projects done by students and are shown off to all that attends the event. The works are based on digital entertainment done by students such as animation shorts, such as the ones I was a part off throughout the Machinima class, and student-made video games. It was a special moment for me to see something that I was a part of to be shown on the big screen for large audiences to see.
Friday, March 29, 2013
The Brake-Up
For the second of three machinima project, I was paired up with four new members. Two of them were Computer Science majors and the other two were Film majors like me. It was a pretty good split between majors and would come in handy throughout the partnership.
I was really excited to be working on this project once I heard the pitch for the story. It was really creative and was the only one that really caught my interest. Once the group was created, my two fellow film majors and myself quickly put together a storyboard and showed it to the two CS students. They liked what we planned out and our group quickly got off to a good start.
With an almost even split between the Film and Computer Science majors, we were able to really work well together as we each shared ideas in the field that we're familiar with and help each other out at the same time. For example, the CS students were able to get used to the software we were using so they were a huge help whenever I had trouble with the program and such. In exchange, the film students were able to give them an idea what looks good in a particular scene, what kind of reactions would the character have in a certain situation, and other film related contents. This collaboration was both effective and knowledgeable.
For the division of work, it was divided up between us based on the comfort level with the software. We were each assigned scenes that we are able to complete based on the knowledge of the program as well as the difficulty of what is being animated. For example, the CS students were able to do a scene where the camera is in first-person, giving the illusion you were in the shoes of the main character. I had absolutely no idea how to do that. To be honest, I didn't even know you could do that. Anyways, the work load was divided up equally and the end product turned out pretty good.
Sound and lip-synching worked out pretty well this time around. I honestly think we got lucky because the program was actually cooperative during the lip-synching portion. I was, unfortunately, tasked to be a voice of a character. Not a fan of having my voice recorded.
Personally, it was still a nightmare working with the program. Still randomly does stuff you don't want it to and all other irritating stuff. I was really grateful the two CS students in my group knew the programs because I kept running into a lot of errors during the entire project. The product turned out great but not without a lot of swearing on my part...
I was really excited to be working on this project once I heard the pitch for the story. It was really creative and was the only one that really caught my interest. Once the group was created, my two fellow film majors and myself quickly put together a storyboard and showed it to the two CS students. They liked what we planned out and our group quickly got off to a good start.
With an almost even split between the Film and Computer Science majors, we were able to really work well together as we each shared ideas in the field that we're familiar with and help each other out at the same time. For example, the CS students were able to get used to the software we were using so they were a huge help whenever I had trouble with the program and such. In exchange, the film students were able to give them an idea what looks good in a particular scene, what kind of reactions would the character have in a certain situation, and other film related contents. This collaboration was both effective and knowledgeable.
For the division of work, it was divided up between us based on the comfort level with the software. We were each assigned scenes that we are able to complete based on the knowledge of the program as well as the difficulty of what is being animated. For example, the CS students were able to do a scene where the camera is in first-person, giving the illusion you were in the shoes of the main character. I had absolutely no idea how to do that. To be honest, I didn't even know you could do that. Anyways, the work load was divided up equally and the end product turned out pretty good.
Sound and lip-synching worked out pretty well this time around. I honestly think we got lucky because the program was actually cooperative during the lip-synching portion. I was, unfortunately, tasked to be a voice of a character. Not a fan of having my voice recorded.
Personally, it was still a nightmare working with the program. Still randomly does stuff you don't want it to and all other irritating stuff. I was really grateful the two CS students in my group knew the programs because I kept running into a lot of errors during the entire project. The product turned out great but not without a lot of swearing on my part...
Some Modifications and an Official Logo
So here I thought I would be able to use this blog as something where I could put all my work here but whether it's the computer I'm using or what, it's having a hard time uploading any of my videos. With that complication, I decided to change things a little and a little rearranging. Instead of posting every video for my project, I may just make a blog for each of my project and have an external link to where you can watch the video on my YouTube account. I'll also add a link to a post for each project where it'll go into detail for the creation of the project and such. These list of completed projects will be under the "Completed Projects" tab up top. Original I know. I've also made a page for "Current Project" where the page gives a description and a breakdown on the current project that I'm working on. If you're interested in what I'm working on, feel free to check out that page for up-to-date information about the project. Here's a screenshot to promote the current project:
Now I want to take to take the time, I'm proud to present my official "Asian One Productions" logo I will be using for my creations. I want to give a big, special thanks to my awesome friend James Taumoepeau for helping me create my logo. I had the logo all sketched and planned out and after sending the sketch and details to James, in a few hours, he was able to create exactly what I wanted and more. I can't thank him enough for helping me out and I owe him a lot. I'm sure you notice the logo up top but for the sake of making this post a little interesting, I'll post the little variations of the logo that James came up with as well as the original sketch.
That's pretty much it for now. Until next time.
Now I want to take to take the time, I'm proud to present my official "Asian One Productions" logo I will be using for my creations. I want to give a big, special thanks to my awesome friend James Taumoepeau for helping me create my logo. I had the logo all sketched and planned out and after sending the sketch and details to James, in a few hours, he was able to create exactly what I wanted and more. I can't thank him enough for helping me out and I owe him a lot. I'm sure you notice the logo up top but for the sake of making this post a little interesting, I'll post the little variations of the logo that James came up with as well as the original sketch.
That's pretty much it for now. Until next time.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Crab Away
This is the first project out of three done for my Machinima class. We were to use the Half-Life 2 game engine and everything else that was included to make a short animation. For this first project, it was basically get used to the software that were going to be used so quality of the animation was not particular part of the graded criteria. We were to be working in a small group of 2 or 3 people for this project. My partners were both Computer Science Majors so I thought I would be alright, hoping they know the programs and such.
Boy was I wrong. They may be CS students but they have never dealt with programs that refuse to do what you tell it to do. I can tell you, the project was an absolute nightmare for me. Being a film student, I'm not completely familiar with computer software that are outside of the normal software I use. The engine we were using was an absolute nightmare to work with. I tell the program, or command or whatever the computer term for it, to do something after x-amount of time has passed and the program was usually like "I'll do whatever, whenever I want." Was so frustrating. The program, Faceposer, was used too so we could do lip-syncing and such but when we recorded the lines for the characters and imported them into the program, it was like "What language are you speaking?" Can't tell you how many times I wanted to throw the computer for giving me so much troubles.
For the division of work, we all worked on everything equally from animating, lip-syncing, and post production. The mic we used was a low quality type mic you can pick up at your local retail store and unfortunately so there wasn't anything to stop the popping sounds. Didn't help either when the mic doesn't get quality sound unless it's right next to your mouth either. Overall, it wasn't bad working with my group members. I just had some anger issues with the programs being...uncooperative to put it nicely.
As for the story, this is basically just a commercial about getting rid of Head Crabs, creatures from the Half-Life 2 games. Yeah, I had absolutely no idea what they were when the idea was proposed by my partner having never played the game. I don't even know the characters' names that we used for this animation. It was some of the models that were already built in. My partners knew the game so I was pretty much the odd one out.
Boy was I wrong. They may be CS students but they have never dealt with programs that refuse to do what you tell it to do. I can tell you, the project was an absolute nightmare for me. Being a film student, I'm not completely familiar with computer software that are outside of the normal software I use. The engine we were using was an absolute nightmare to work with. I tell the program, or command or whatever the computer term for it, to do something after x-amount of time has passed and the program was usually like "I'll do whatever, whenever I want." Was so frustrating. The program, Faceposer, was used too so we could do lip-syncing and such but when we recorded the lines for the characters and imported them into the program, it was like "What language are you speaking?" Can't tell you how many times I wanted to throw the computer for giving me so much troubles.
For the division of work, we all worked on everything equally from animating, lip-syncing, and post production. The mic we used was a low quality type mic you can pick up at your local retail store and unfortunately so there wasn't anything to stop the popping sounds. Didn't help either when the mic doesn't get quality sound unless it's right next to your mouth either. Overall, it wasn't bad working with my group members. I just had some anger issues with the programs being...uncooperative to put it nicely.
As for the story, this is basically just a commercial about getting rid of Head Crabs, creatures from the Half-Life 2 games. Yeah, I had absolutely no idea what they were when the idea was proposed by my partner having never played the game. I don't even know the characters' names that we used for this animation. It was some of the models that were already built in. My partners knew the game so I was pretty much the odd one out.
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog. This blog acts as my portfolio for all my film and media works. You'll see work created by me for school projects as well as projects I've done on my free time. Obviously, this site is under construction right now but I will do my best to update it as soon as I can. Stay tune for future updates!!!
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