WK6 TASK: My Google Map

My love of coffee and chocolate makes me an 'expert' in the field of Best Coffee & Chocolate on the Gold Coast - could give you locations in other parts of the country and world....but havn't been 'everywhere' in that scenrio, so wont. ENJOY this though:

View Best Coffee & Chocolate Locations on the Gold Coast in a larger map

WK6 TASK: Internet Delivered Short Film 3 of 3 "Strong Male Figure"

The Website Red vs Blue produce a series of videos they make every week using a Halo videogame engine. They write the script, act out the dialog and the animate it.
Pretty cleaver I think. They also have a blog where fellow 'fans' can ask questions of the creators and other fans. I found this gave me a little insight into this genre.

WK6 TASK: Internet Delivered Short Film 2 of 3

Inspired by our lecture, I have uploaded one the BMW short films produced for the internet. This one though, is a short film on the making of the BMW short film. By watching the making of this short film I was able to grasp a little more, the information given during our lecture this week. I also found it extremely entertaining and has lead to me watching more content that has been produced for the on-line market.


PLEASE NOTE: I wanted the short film below as an example, but could not upload it - I think its because they don't want you to..... but great stuff that is worth a look!

A moving "what could be" short film by Till Nowak, a digital artist, designer and filmmaker based in Hamburg, Germany. He apparently works in his own computer animation studio for creative agencies, film productions, documentaries as well as independent and experimental works. Very tallented and very cool! I downloaded this from the website:
http://www.framebox.de/delivery.htm - check him other stuff out - its worth the time!

WK6 TASK: Internet Delivered Short Film 1 of 3 "Bullet Proof Vest"

This is a short film (documentary style) specifically shot and delivered for the internet by independent film company "Independent Lens". Their mantra seems to be to have visionaries who ignore the rules of commercial programming and pursue diverse stories about people not normally seen on TV. This particular short film (5:27) called Bullet Proof Vest is about a young African American girl (and her family) who live in the dangerous city of Richmand, California.

With an average of one homicide every 10 days, Jyeshria's parents are afraid to let their children outside. Jyeshria and her nine-year-old twin Mustapha know they can’t go to the park unaccompanied and are fed up with the gun violence.

Directed by: May Lin Au Yong

THURSDAY LECTURE 27.08.09 "DATA VISUALIZATION"

Mr Jason Nelson spoke on the creative ways to use the internet, to create interesting content. Jason also referenced to 'Net Art'.

We need to look at ourselves and what it is we want to put on-line. We must remember the 1997/8/9 "dotcom" boom and subsequent crash!

Jason exampled the differences between Magazines and there costs and required sales to the a website with its low overheads and need for less subscribers to make money.

Very interesting talk on Social Networking sites and their rankings and the current trend now for these sites to get more specific and target their audience.

A great example of a useful and individual website - that utilizes information from different sites and combines the info in a user friendly and interesting forum. The site is called http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index2.php and an initiative of the Hungarian government.

TASK: Video #2 of my choice

Futurologist Ian Pearson talks about the next wave of convergence

between the digital and human.

This clip was uploaded by The University of Warwick last week, and

as we are constantly trying to keep up to date with current

convergence technology, I thought it was very interesting to hear a

'futurologist’s’ angle of convergence between the digital and the

human and what he believes our future holds. It is a long (25min)

clip, but also entertaining.

GOLD COAST BULLETIN ARTICLE

I read an interesting piece in our GCB yesterday regarding E-Travelers. It reported that smart phones can enable travelers to walk down a street with their i-phone, for instance, and it can scan hotels and automatically display customer reviews and star ratings straight to your mobile screen in real time - cool!

Also available is the technology allowing you to scan a crowded room with your i-phone camera and with facial recognition technology, recognize peoples faces and display the social media sites they are on, the networks they are part of and any information they made publicly available - cool! or scary?

Ms Laurel Papworth (a social network strategist and Australia's 4th most popular blogger) stressed in the article that "Social media isn't a fad, it is a fundamental shift in the way we communicate." I think it is fair to say that we all have to agree with this statement. She also exampled some other available technologies for the E-Traveler such as Flight Tracker (tracks chosen flights actual flight path), Trapster (current speed camera locations for your position), Where's the Restroom (comprehensive list of toilets anywhere in the world!).

I say, advanced technology made just plain fun!

REF: Gold Coast Bulletin, 20.08.09. P. 4

TASK: Scavanger Hunt

1. World's biggest tree?: The General Sherman (a giant sequoia) - Over 80 metres high, and its circumference at the base of the trunk is 30 metres. It is over 2000 years old.

REF: http://california-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm worlds_biggest_tree_california#ixzz0OfuDWbPH

2. Quickest & most reliable way to contact Madonna?: Ring Guy Richie's lawyer! or Ask her fellow aliens at scientology HQ. Ok for the researched answer:
Contact her Music Label : Warner Bros. Music (with Reprise records)
REF: http://www.warnerbros.com/

or her Publisher: Puffin via email on
education@au.penguingroup.com or phone: USA +0870 607 7600
REF: http://www.madonna.com/index/home/
REF: http://www.penguin.com.au/PUFFIN/

3. Age of oldest captive elephant/older than average wild age?: 86 years old in the Taipei Zoo. This is comparable to the maximum (though not typical) longevity estimated in wild populations.
REF: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/109580436/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

4a. Define Glycomics in own words: Glycomics is the study of structure and function of carbohydrates (sugars) in biological systems. (Well kind of my own words!)
REF: http://www.griffith.edu.au/science/institute-glycomics/research/what-is-glycomics
4b. What is a Seagull Manager?: A manager who flies in, makes a lot of noise, craps on everything, and then leaves. Are you having a little laugh here Jules?
REF: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=seagull+manager

5a. Latest David Cronenberg Film?: An Adaptation of (Don Delillo's novel) Cosmopolis.
REF: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/jul/27/david-cronenberg-don-delillo-cosmopolis
5b. What DC Film had Blondie it?: Videodrome, 2001.
REF: http://www.amazon.ca/Videodrome-David-Cronenberg/dp/6300182770

6. Original Hackers Manifesto Written?: Published October 4, 2004 by Harvard University Press it was first written January 1986.
REF: http://www.mithral.com/~beberg/manifesto.html
REF: http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog/WARHAC.html?show=reviews

7. What do Hollywood movie phone numbers start with 555:? So stupid poeple don't try calling anyone.....that is the standard fake numbers for Hollywood.
REF: me

8. Cheapest form of travel between from Sydney to Gold Coast?: Because this question does not include the most efficient ..... my answer is WALKING! I know I could look up/research all the modes of travel available and compare prices and complile a chart with prices and modes so an informed decision could be made.
REF: my cheekiness

9. Australian pop charts top song for this week in 1970: I failed this...could only find top 10 songs for 1970 -

1.) “Venus” by The Shocking Blue

2.) “Mama Told Me Not To Come” by Three Dog Night

3.) “I Think I Love You” by The Partridge Family

4.) “Tears of a Clown” by Smokey Robinson & Miracles

5.) “The Rapper” by the Jaggerz

6.) “I Want You Back” by the Jackson Five

7.) “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum

8.) “Vehicle” by The Ides of March

9.) “War” by Edwin Starr

10.) “Green-Eyed Lady” by Sugarloaf

10. OK, I have to admit I just can not find this info on-line.....I will endeavour to find this some other way either by researching a better on-line searching method or ....?
REF: http://new.music.yahoo.com/staggered-crossing/

THURSDAY 20.08.09 LECTURE "THE WAY WE WATCH MEDIA"

Another 'time line', but not a history of Cinema as such, Josh charted the way we watch "stuff". From 28th December 1895 with the birth of cinema (ie the moving b & w image) shown in Paris at the Grand by the Lunear Bros.
Most exciting was the knowledge that in 1906 it was Australia that featured the 1st feature length narrative (silent) film - the Ned Kelly Story.
1911 was when Europe followed suit, then the USA.
1927 was when dialogue was recorded and played along side moving pictures ("Talkies") plus the added Orchestra pit and title cards - how enchanting!
In 1929 the 1st all colour movie "On with the Show" was screened.

1933 was the birth of the "Drive-in" theatre in New Jersey USA, mainly due to the car culture in the USA. It cost a nickle to see 'Nickalodians".

1937 was when Disney released 'Snow White', the first full length commercially released film in colour.

Then in 1939 TV was launched at the New York Trade Fair, although there was no real content yet for airing. (Hollywood did start to worry as the war and tv reduced numbers in Cinema's).

1952 was when 3D was birthed.

1955 Hollywood started selling back catalogue of movies to TV and now public was able to watch movies on TV.

1956 was when Ampex made the first VTR (reel to reel) at the cost of approximately $50K.

1959 was when Percepto vision (4D) was introduced with the movie 'The Tingler'. They used a mild electric shock and Aromarama (release of smells in the A/C).

1963 was when Ampex released a consumer VCR, at a cost of $30K!

1963 was also the birth of the Multiplex/Megaplex theatre.

1967 was when Sony released a 'portapack' VCR.

1970 IMAX - shown and shot in imax technology.

1972 Pay TV

1986 Blockbuster Video rental store opened.

1986 also saw the first full CGI animated short film by Pixer.

1995 was when Pixer released 'Toy Story'.

1997 DVD Video format made available.

also Lazer Disk and Google.

NOTE: Pay TV + DVD Video = Internet

Josh explained Hollywoods failure to grasp technology fast enough etc, then on to 2001 when BMW hired cutting edge directors to produce films for the internet such as 'The Driver'. (They were 8 x 10 short films).

We finished this lecture with a showing of the above BMW short film.

MINI TASK: Inversion Pyramid

Jules asked some of us to define the term 'Inversion Pyramid'. I must say this was not as easy as I thought it would be. I went on-line both general and griffith library to no avail. I then asked a photographer friend of mine (via facebook) and he didn't know either! Finally I changed my search criteria and came up with this: (not sure if this is what Jules meant though)!

As explained by http://www.poynter.org the inverted pyramid was "Developed more than a century ago to take advantage of a new communications technology, the inverted pyramid remains a controversial yet widely used method of reporting news and will have a future in the 21st century.

The inverted pyramid puts the most newsworthy information at the top, and then the remaining information follows in order of importance, with the least important at the bottom."

TASK: Watch Move or TV Show and describe as per lecture

My TV Show of choice for this task is "Good News Week" currently airing on Channel 10, Monday nights at 8:30. Side Note: Who has time to watch a Movie!

WHO: shown by the CLOSE UP immediately after GNW into, is the main character Paul McDermott followed by the into of co-stars Claire Hooper and Mikey Robins. They also feature four guest personalities each week.

WHAT: shown by the MID SHOT shows Paul in at a central booth and his ensemble behind opposing booths either side of him, ready to compete in a news contextual battle of wits and comedic expertise.

WHERE: shown by the LONG SHOT shows a studio audience facing the set of GNW including its cast (and even some crew). This, with the WHAT informs us of the type of forum GNW is and its setting.

WHEN: In this instance the When is made clear by speech. That is, it is made clear that this is one hour news based (albeit damn funny) program covering the latest topics of local and international news - taped in real time.

WHY: It is at this point I realize that my choice of TV show is not quite appropriate to answer all these questions in a "Cine-speak" manner......but I have gone too far now and other studies are pending.....so will push on (hopefully with your patience)! The BIG CLOSE UP would adequately reveal an unanswered aspect of a storyline, and actually in the case of GNW a BCU is used when confirming a news quiz has been solved by showing the actual news footage or photo in this manner.

HOW: A MEDIUM CLOSE UP or a series of MCU's can answer a question of how by explaining the event or storyline by bringing together two different things (for example a person and what they are doing or what they did)..... again my choice is TV show isn't quite appropriate, but the MCU in the case of GNW could show how a visual gag was brought together by revealing all the elements when needed.

So there is my Who, What, Where, When, Why, How task explained using information given by Josh Nicholas in his lecture and on-line notes, Jules during tutorial time and my on-line (limited) research.

TASK: Explaination of shot size term ECU

ECU = Extreme Close Up

The Extreme Close Up is (scary in this instance) and gets right in and shows extreme detail.

You would normally need a specific reason to get this close. It is too close to show general reactions or emotion except in very dramatic scenes.

TASK: Explaination of shot size term BCU

BCU = Big Close Up

The Big Close Up can reviel more about the character / story - to answer a WHY? question perhaps. A bit of drama.

TASK: Explaination of shot size term CU

CU = Close Up

The Close Up is useful for the "WHO?" question - revieling detail of characters face (concentrations) and used in interviews especially if getting 'heated'.

TASK: Explaination of shot size term MCU

MCU = Medium Close Up

(NOTE: That I have forgot the "Rule of Thirds" in this shot of me!)

The Medium Close Up is can show two different things within one frame; for example, a person and what they are doing. Shown much better in the first image from the web!

TASK: Explaination of shot size term MS

MS = Mid Shot

The Mid Shot is useful to show characters carrying out an action in a singleshot. This is good for the WHAT? question. The MS cuts off at the waist.

TASK: Explaination of shot size term MLS

MLS = Medium Long Shot

The Medium Long Shot is a shot that has a field narrower than that of a long shot but much broader than that of a medium shot.

TASK: Explaination of shot size term LS

LS = Long Shot

The Long Shot is good to establish WHERE a scene is taking place and also needed when cutting from one scene to another and/or one timeline and placeline to another.
The LS takes in the whole height of the person showing background, but not as much as the VLS.

TASK: Explaination of shot size term VLS / WS

VLS / WS = Very Long Shot / Wide Shot

The VLS or WS gives a place and/or the geography of the scene. Can also give the Time and/or Timeline and also the era.

(PS: That is our illustrious leader Jules, in "my" VLS, giving a 'salute').

Bibliography for ALL Shot Size Terms TASK:

Media College 13.08.09 "extreme close up" http://www.mediacollege.com/video/shots/extreme-closeup.html

Nicholas, Josh 13.08.09 "Week 3 Lecture - Language of the Screen" Griffith University, Parkwood, Gold Coast.

Urbanfox website 13.08.09 "shotsizes" http://www.urbanfox.tv/creative/shotsizes.html

THURSDAY LECTURE 13.08.09 "LANGUAGE OF THE SCREEN"

This mornings lecture was attended without coffee! Josh spoke on the "Language of the Screen" in the genre of film/video via the internet and Cinema "Cine-Speak".
We were given the various terms for different Shot Sizes and Josh gave a useful and interesting analogy for each shot (a building block) being put together to create Scenes...much like LEGO.
From here Josh covered Shots as Words and the Q & A in a shot and/or narrative...that is the Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How? and which shot type was suitable and the purpose of each shot/question/answer.
An exercise was given: Watch a TV show or movie and observe the 6 question shot types and how they are presented and then report on our observations in our Blog.
Finally taken through the importance of Headroom, Talking room, Rule of Thirds and the 180 degree rule.
Josh's final tip: Every Shot (and sequence) has to have a purpose and reveal something new - ie. drive the narrative forward.

Altered Version of Photo (Smart Phone)

Original Image - see link:

http://www.htc.com/au/product/touchpro/overview.html

Altered Image (crop + colour enhance)

TASK: 2nd Example of Digital Convergence - Digital Media live broadcasting- live streaming video powered by Livestream

Digital Media live broadcasting- live streaming video powered by Livestream

A "live" streaming video site. (DVB)

SITE: "How the iPhone changed my life"

How the iPhone changed my life - An interesting site with a video on the cool apps available to the iphone, including how to find your car!

TASK: 1st Video Example of a Digital Convergence Device - SKYPE

This amazing example of digital convergence technology is the convergence of many different types of technology requiring a lot of technical terminology not available to my understanding at present, but does include video, sound, pictures, texts, broadcasts, streaming media and global connectivity.

TASK: 4 x Examples of Convergent Technology

Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) is the replacement of analogue coding with data compression in accordance with MPEG2. Video and audio source signals are separately processed to form digital data streams. This fundamental change in signal representation in the base band also affects TV measurement technology.

REF:

http://www.dvb.org/index.xml

http://home.mira.net/%7Emarcop/digital.htm

Skype offers us mere mortals free video and voice calls. We can also send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Skype users can (if that wasn't enough!) make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Have I been living under a rock.....making this happen in my home soon!

The Apple Mac is (the worlds best piece of capable hardware and software) Oh, did I say that out loud! You can even run your Mac through your TV

and incorporate DVB! Or create a song with a Mac keyboard utilizing GarageBand Or......

A 'Smartphone' is basically a mini computer and phone combination! As our all knowledgeable lecturer has stated a good smartphone can do everything a computer can do. Some of the features standard in a smartphone include, email, Internet browsing, full operating systems, GPS, camera and video capability, organizers, calendars, mp3 players, full keyboards, oh and of course the cell phone. Some smartphones also have touch screens, such as the iPhone and the newest Blackberry Storm.

The first ever smartphone was called Simon. Designed in 1992 by IBM and released to the public by BellSouth in 1993. It contained an address book, calculator, note pad, email, fax and games and by today's advanced standards is considered pretty limited.

There are several manufacturers of smartphones today, each running their operating system, including Apple's iPhone (pictured) which is one of the best sellers of smartphones.

TASK: DEFINE CONVERGENCE

As this is a New Communications Technology Course, I am assuming that our definition is to be of Digital Convergence. After some reading, I believe that Digital Convergence refers to the coming together of digital media to combine voice, video, pictures, texts, video, broadcasts, presentation, streaming media, data, global connectivity and personalized services (telecommunication, IT, internet, media, entertainment) in new applications, devices and networks - that is the amalgamation of digital technology components and these features. The combination of all of these features and abilities from multiple electronic systems into a simplified, converged and computer-mediated communication system to enable individuals to interact, play, communicate, collaborate and share information.

THURSDAY 6.8.09 LECTURE "SHORT HISTORY OF COMPUTING"

An informative and entertaining lecture delivered by Dr Stephen Stockwell on "a short history of computing and the internet". The term Mechanosphere was mentioned with reference to abstract machines linked and intertwined - I will have to learn more from the link at Learning@Griffith to fully understand. Dr Stockwell covered computing from about 750AD and the Anticytherian Device (a 'prototype' of current abstract machines) to the industrial revolution with the advanced mechanical production skills and 'Babbage' with his development of the Analytical Engine and 'Ada Byran' writing the 1st computer code inspired by, of all things...weaving.

Then IBM with the 1st calculators to the Germans requirement for advanced machinery for sending messages and the British developing 'Signal Analysis' to break code birthing the principals of Cybernetics and the development of the Radar. It was Chewring though that invents a machine that mimics the German code machine that becomes the first computer.

Dr Stockwell then went on to explain the IBM to Microsoft partnership and the development of Apple and the battle between MS and Apple.

My much appreciated operating system of Linux was then touched upon with the mention of free software being a huge option and we should look into it!

In the 1960's the phone system was utilised to send information quickly using frequency tones - RPERNET (the 1st internet). Then email and the 1980's Multipal user domains/bulletin board servers. Next in the 1990's Burne came up with HTML and this produces the World Wide Web.

Dr Stockwell then reminded us that the www is just a part of the whole Internet.

We were left with the thought that current challenge's of the internet are that it is not only just complex knowledge but also complex emotions.

Next Blog Option

Enjoyed having a look at other blogs (something I have not ever done before) by using the "next blog" option at top of my blogger page - some amazing advertising of product etc blogs, some personal blogs, some in Mandarin (which I found fun trying to read as a first year student studing Mandarin) and some just plain ....weird, but all reinforcing my need to explore this means of communication much more.