The Experiment

Our very first project was called, "The Experiment", which we could do anything we wished to create in Photoshop. So with this opportunity I decided to make an appearing drawing of myself. With-in this process I first, took a picture of myself in Photo Both, then opened the picture in Photoshop, where I traced myself in different layers and slides to create the "magical" appearing picture. After I completed the tracing step, I colored in my school shirt to create a contrast of content effect. How is it contrast of content? Well, everything was back and white, where as my shirt was green.

Although this task was difficult, it was a great way to test my prior knowledge of Photoshop and the accurate steps to complete my project choice. Even though I had some trial and error, (by some I mean a lot), I think my finished project was pretty good.

My finished product

Back to School

I had such a wonderful summer filled with happiness, family and friends but now, it's back to school. So far my 8th grade school year is going great, I have amazing teachers, wonderful classes and fantastic friends. My favorite moment so far was being picked to be one of the two anchors for our daily KMS news. To get this job we had to participate in an interview with a couple of other classmates, so when I was chosen to be an anchor I was very excited and anxious of what laid ahead. Another exciting but scary moment was when we were given the mission to start a project in photoshop by ourselves, using our prior knowledge of photoshop, without asking questions. With this opportunity to create anything our heart desired, I decided to do an animation of myself appearing on the computer screen. By having this task we are practicing a couple of our GLO's; Self-Directed Learner, Complex Thinker and Effective Communicator.

My work in progress

My biggest challenge so far was remembering what tools and steps I had to do to complete our first project. Luckily I remembered where most tools were located and the correct order to finish things in. I will be successful this year by completing all given assignments, giving it my all, and staying positive throughout the year!

Metamorphosis Animation

During the fourth quarter we were given the opportunity to create an animation video. Our video had to have a form of something morphing into something else. My team mates (Keegan, Lilio, Ku'umomi) and I decided to make a film that could bring awareness to many people about bullying. Our video also consisted of three different types of animation, stop-motion, claymation and digital art. Our first scene had Lilio playing as the bully and picking up an innocent flower, with this flower she starts to tear the petals from the stem and throws it to the ground. The next scene we had the flowers make their way down the stairs which Keegan (friend) picks up and begins to gently place the flower's petals in their rightful place. The flower is placed on top of the railing and starts sliding on top of it and then it "fly's" into the air and starts to morph into its human self (me). So with this story we had the flower representing a girl that was being bullied but a friend had her back and helped her "pick up her broken pieces".

I believe our finished product was pretty good; as it was our first time dealing with three types of animation. I think the best part of our video was the digital art because we got to make the scene more unique by getting to draw out the scene. One thing that my team and I could improve is our stop-motion because during the scenes that had stop-motion we didn't use a tripod which could have reduced our camera movement. In addition, stop-motion is used to make inanimate objects come to life or to make an object do something that they couldn't do normally. For example, instead of having our characters walk we could've made them fly or slide into the scene. But overall I think my team and I did a great job.

Words of Wisdom

One of our recent projects was "Words of Wisdom". My team (Lilio, Loren, Hershel) and I decided to interview Dave Stewart (my grandfather). Before filming we had to make a production plan that included the subject, what B-roll we would collect, what would be said on the voice-overs and what shots we would film. After completing our production plan I interviewed my grandfather and asked questions about his earlier years. He explained how at a very young age he was offered to go to the beautiful island of Kaua'i and how he couldn't resist because it was his dream to come here. He also explains how important it is to be hard working, as it can really help you achieve your dreams. He tells how through hard work and perseverance you can one day accomplish anything, just like he did. He now has a big family and two very successful businesses.

Our finished product is up above... feel free to watch it, enjoy!

Five Tips For

One of the first projects I've completed in G.T. was a "Five Tips For"... video. In this video my team mates (Bailey and Kora) and I had to demonstrate how to accomplish something in 5 easy to follow steps. Our topic was, "How to make your parents happy." We choose this topic because we thought this could be helpful towards some people and we thought our video topic was different in a way.

A couple things that we could have done better was preventing camera movement by re-filming and making some of the titles larger. Filming and creating this video was not only fun but it was also a great learning experience. I learned how to use composition techniques and voice-overs correctly and how they make a video so much more interesting. I believe my group and I had a great finished product!

Composition Techniques

While filming there are many different composition techniques that can make your video eye-catching. These techniques include, rule of thirds, framing, unusual angles, leading lines, emotion, action, close up, reaction, contrast in content, repetition of shapes, group shot, parts of a whole, horizontal, and vertical. But the main four composition techniques are, rule of thirds, framing, unusual angles, and leading lines. So... what are these techniques? 

Rule Of Thirds
The rule of thirds makes an image or a subject look well balanced and makes it interesting. Also the rule of thirds breaks the subject into three equal parts, both vertically and horizontally. When the subject is in three parts, the subject's eyes are at one of the intersecting lines.

Framing 
Framing is a technique that is used to draw the attention of the viewer to a certain subject. Also, while framing it's essential to pick a great place with many fascinating "frame" like objects.

Unusual Angles
Unusual Angles is when you take a picture from an angle that is strange or unique. By creating a picture with unusual angles it adds many different effects to your image.

Leading Lines
Leading Lines are lines within a picture that focuses the viewer's eye to a specific object. Some examples of leading lines are, train tracks, a road, etc.

All of these techniques are a great way to make any photo or video phenomenal!

P4T5 Composition from Kapaa Middle School MEDIA on Vimeo.

Three Shot Sequences

In great video stories, sequencing usually consists of 3 short clips from interesting angles and different perspectives. Most shots that occur in sequencing are, wide, medium, and close-up shots. These shots are a way to unfold an action but in a fascinating way. When using this method in visual storytelling all shots should be different and be focused on one object. Also, before filming different shots the camera operator should think of what angles will be eye-catching to an audience. Always remember, sequencing is a great way to add interest in any video!

After researching about sequencing all G.T. students had to construct a short video with a sequence. My groups topic was "Surprise!". While filming we had to plan ahead of time to think of interesting angles that would compliment our video and catch our audience's eye. 

A great sequence would first start with a wide shot that captures the main subject, then it would cut to a medium shot that shows what particular thing the subject it doing, and lastly it would cut to a close-up or even an extreme close-up. Within these shots, you should also use composition techniques.

Below is my groups example of sequencing.