RESEARCH

 UNDERSTANDING SEMIOTICS

In this afternoon's session,our objectives were to improve our analysis of media texts. We defined the meaning of Semiotics as it means the study of signs,indicators, likeness, metaphors, symbolism, communication and iconography. This also visually represents something else.

There are 3 types of Semiotics:

ICON

This is when something directly resembles the object. For example, the Expedia logo resembles travel and tourism as suggested by the plane logo,the dark blue suggesting the sky and the yellow outline representing the sun.

INDEX

Index is a sign that has an implified logical association with the object. For example,the piggy bank has double meanings both money and wealth.

SYMBOL

A symbol is a sign that is not inherently connected to the object. For example, the flag of Scotland suggests that it is a country and has the colours of blue and white suggesting that there are bodies of water and purity.

PRACTITIONERS CONCERNED WITH LOCATION

BANKSY

Banksy is a pseudonymous England-based street artist, political activist and film director whose real name and identity remain unconfirmed and the subject of speculation. Active since the 1990's, his satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humour with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique.

Banksy displays his art on publicly visible surfaces such as walls and self-built physical prop pieces. Much of his work is classified as temporary art. Banksy directed and starred in the documentary film Exit Through The Gift Shop,which made it's debut at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

Banksy's name and identity remain unconfirmed and the subject of speculation. In the year 2003, there was an interview with Simon Hattenstone of The Guardian, Banksy is described as,"white, age of 28, scruffy casual jeans, T-shirt,silver tooth, silver chain and silver earring".

Banksy started as a freehand graffiti in 1990-1994 as one of Bristol's DryBreadZ Crew with 2 other artists known as Kato and Tes. He was inspired by local artists and his work was part of the larger Bristol Underground Scene with Nick Walker, Inkie, and 3D.

One of his works is a stencil of Charles Manson in a prison suit, hitchhiking to anywhere, Archway, London.

Girl With Balloon is another one of his works, which depicts a girl with a balloon graffitied onto a building wall in black and red. 

LOCATION IN GAMES- TELLING STORIES THROUGH LEVEL DESIGN

MEDIA THEORY:THE HERO'S JOURNEY

The Hero’s Journey is a narrative theory in film that is used to structure film narratives. The theory was suggested by Joseph Campbell in 1949 via his book titled “The Hero with a Thousand Faces”. The theory breaks down the protagonist’s journey into 12 stages. Notably, this theory has been used in many popular films such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Star Wars, Back To The Future, Finding Nemo, The Lion King and MegaMind. Here is how the 12 stages are broken down:

1st Stage(The Ordinary World)

It is the hero’s world before The Call to Adventure. It is usually very boring and mundane, and set up in a way in which the audience that are watching the film can relate to the protagonist. 

2nd Stage (The Call to Adventure)

This stage is all about getting the protagonist’s emotions, feelings and attitudes out of their comfort zone. This is where they are generally confronted with a problem or a challenge they can’t ignore. For example, in Spider-Man No Way Home, Peter Parker(formerly Spider-Man) must defeat The Green Goblin.

3rd Stage(Refusal of the Call)

The Hero might first refuse the call to action. As in Star Wars, Luke SkyWalker initially refuses to join Obi-Wan on his mission to rescue Princess Leia. It is only when he discovers that his aunt and uncle have been killed by stormtroopers that he changes his mind.

4th Stage(Meeting the Mentor)

The Hero’s decided to go on the adventure- but they are not ready to “spread their wings yet”. They are much too inexperienced and need them to hone their skills before they set off on their adventure because we as the audience feel sympathetic towards the protagonist.

5th Stage(Crossing the First Threshold) 

Now that the Hero is ready-and committed-to the journey. This marks the end of the Departure stage and is when the adventure really kicks into the next gear. 

6th Stage(Tests,Allies,Enemies)

This is when we step into the Special World. We notice a definite shift. The Hero might be discombobulated by this unfamiliar reality and its new rules. This is generally one of the longest stages in the story,as our protagonist gets to grips with this new world. As seen in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Spencer,Bethany,”Fridge”,and Martha get off to a bad start when they bump into a herd of bloodthirsty hippos. 

7th Stage(Approach to the Inmost Cave)

This isn’t a physical cave. Instead,the “inmost cave” refers to the most dangerous spot in the other realm - whether that’s the villain’s chambers, the lair of the fearsome dragon, or the Death Star. Almost always, it is where the ultimate goal of the quest or mission is located. 

8th Stage(Ordeal)

Of all the tests that the Hero has faced, none have made them hit rock bottom- until now. The protagonist must now confront their greatest fear. If they survive it, they will emerge transformed. This is a critical moment in the story. The Ordeal is sometimes not the climax of the story. There’s more to come. 

9th Stage(Reward-Seizing the Sword)

Our Hero’s been through a lot. However, the fruits of their labour are now at hand-if they can just “reach out and grab them”. The “reward” is the object or knowledge the Hero has fought throughout the entire journey to hold. Once the protagonist has it in their possession, it generally has greater ramifications for the story. As seen in Star Wars, Luke rescues Princess Leia and captures the plans of the Death Star- keys to defeating Darth Vader.

10th Stage(The Road Back)

The story’s not over just yet, as this phase marks the beginning of Act Three. Now that he’s seized the reward, the Hero tries to return to the Ordinary World, but more dangers(inconveniently) arise on the road back from the Inmost Cave. More precisely, the Hero must deal with the consequences and aftermath of the previous Act:the dragon, enraged by the Hero who’s just stolen a treasure from under his nose, starts the hunt. Or perhaps the opposing army gathers to pursue the Hero across a crowded battlefield. All further obstacles for the Hero, who must face them down before they can return home.

11th Stage(Resurrection)

Here is the true climax of the story. Everything that happened prior to this stage culminates in a crowning test for the Hero, as the Dark Side gets one last chance to triumph over the Hero. If the Hero survives,they can start looking forward to a sweet ending.

12th Stage(Return with the Elixir)

Finally,the Hero gets to return home.However, they go back a different person than when they started out: they have grown and matured as a result of the journey they have taken. That’s why the protagonist has to return with the “Elixir”,or the prize won during the journey,whether that’s an object or knowledge and insight gained. It is possible for a story to end on an Elixir-less note-but then the Hero would be doomed to repeat the entire adventure. 

FMP THEME-LOCATION

In geography,location or place is used to denote a region(point,line or area) on Earth's surface.The term Location generally implies a higher degree of certainty than Place,the latter often indicating an entity with an ambiguous boundary,relying more on human or social attributes of place identity and sense of place.A populated place is called a settlement.

TYPES OF LOCATION

LOCALITY

A locality ,settlement,or populated place is likely to have a well-defined name but a boundary that is not well-defined, but rather varies by context.London,for example.

CONCEPT ART FOR FINAL ANIMATION

This is the concept art that I have created using IbisPaintX,which is the free version. The story of my animation is going to be about Mario travelling through pipes,exploring different worlds, finally reaching Bowser.He will then defeat Bowser to save the Mushroom Kingdom.

Animation storyboard(Draft)

This is a draft of my storyboard for my final animation.I will be doing an updated storyboard which is going to be more detailed.

FINAL STORYBOARD FOR ANIMATION

This is the final storyboard that I have produced for my final animation.I have included more description to the storyboard like more actions,fitted the drawings inside of the box and directions using arrows.

More Character Concept Art

Animation Mind-map

Different Art Styles

Line Drawing- is a minimalist approach to art and uses only lines to produce an image. It includes on relying on contours to shape images without intricate shading.

Graffiti-this is commonly used for street art and is a very bold and colourful style usually done with spray paint.It acts as a spontaneous and freeform approach to drawing and illustration.

Charcoal drawing- is a style of drawing that uses charcoal sticks,powder or pencils to  create cool artworks.

Stippling- is the hatching drawing style that involves making an image using several adjacent parallel lines. It is possible to create an array of various shading effects. 

Caricature- are drawings that depict their subjects in oversimplified or overdramatised manners. This focuses on using exaggeration to produce a funny image of the person.

Crayon drawing-  it uses crayons of various colours to produce an image.By using the pointy tips of the crayons, you can create shading effects and use smudging to make your image more realistic.

Pixel Art- this is a form of digital art which is used to create 2D platformers, characters, collectables, health bars, and so much more. It is mainly done on programmes.

Cartoon- are typically characterised by simplified, exaggerated depictions of characters and scenes. Some different cartoon styles include: caricature, anime or manga, and classic Disney.

Different Animation Techniques

Stop-Motion- it involves moving an object and taking pictures of the story, moving the object as if it is moving.It involves about 1,100 pictures to create a very good stop-motion animation.

Flipbook-  it involves using a book that you have to draw pictures. Every page will be different as you are trying to create a moving image that will create some sort of story.

3D Animation- it is used to design characters, objects and backgrounds in more depth. The characters are usually produced to view every angle.

Hand Drawn Animation- this is a more traditional way of animating even before the programmes were created. It involves hand drawn images.

2D Animation- this is used to produce traditional cartoons and anime,where characters and backgrounds are drawn by hand. It is used to create flat 2D environments and characters.

Experimental Animation

This is a experimental animation which I have produced using an onion skin to move both the taxi and the person.This shows a person which is hailing a taxi to drive to the airport.

1ST 3D RENDERED MODELS

As you can see these are the 3D models for my characters which I will incorporate in my final animation. As I develop this project,I will be making the models more realistic using a better software.