Category Archives: techniques cinematography

Run up to the Commonwealth Games

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Now that everybody and his uncle has commented excessively on the lead up to the Commonwealth Games, I thought I should put in my two pence or twenty five paise(not the correct rate of exchange I know, but nevertheless)worth of opinion. And on the eve of the games my opinion is-My God what an exercise in self flagellation! With the media at its hysterical best and of course frothing at the mouth as is its wont, the boorish beer drinking and Indian bashing Aussies(the prime minister no less)and the super power on the wane and proud to be US poodle/lackey Britain sharpening the knives and going for the jugular of the upstart would- be super power, one thought doomsday was at hand! Why a dear old friend of mine who became a British national a few years back and usually harks back to his Indian roots quite fondly, ticked me off with a-”you guys took on more than you could chew old chap. Holding the Commonwealth Games was best left to the west”

I retorted by saying that the Commonwealth Movement would fold up in 15 minutes, if India walked out of it. He of course had no idea that the Commonwealth Movement, owed its post-colonial survival and existence to the fact that India deigned to stay in it despite being a republic for the sake of not sacrificing a useful movement just because it was founded by former colonists. Reportedly the flag bearer of colonialism Winston Churchill had tears in his eyes at this magnanimous act of a recently independent and impoverished nation.

Now to the present. Over the past week or so,one has only heard praise and admiration from visitors to the Commonwealth Games-from athletes, delegates and heads of mission. They have liked the village, the food and most importantly found the stadia world class. So what was the fuss all about? Sure there were problems of corruption and falling behind deadlines. For the former there has to be a probe and the guilty punished. Ditto for the latter. About that remark about standards of Indian hygiene made by Lalit Bhanot, he is surely severely incapacitated in so far as the simple ability to communicate goes. He could surely not have meant what he said. Perhaps he meant that the Indian standards of hygiene for under construction sites are not the same as that of western countries where presumably construction workers come to work wearing pin-striped suits and of course never spit and curse! Come on don’t we all know how fastidious we Indians are in removing the last bit of excreta from our bodies unlike our paper using brethren from the West?

Well the infallible West is not all that immune to problems of bad organisation and corruption either. The Athens Games were always a disaster waiting to happen, just like the Greek economy is now. The last Winter Olympics in Canada had problems and so did the last summer Olympics in the US. When Hurricane Katrina struck US state of Louisiana, and massive flooding ensued because badly built dikes could not hold the waters the state apparatus collapsed and stayed that way for days with policemen deserting their posts and indulging and arson and looting. So far as corruption goes Indian corruption pales in comparison with the shenanigans of the Lehman Brothers and Enrons of the world.

Hey, I am not into hating the west and holding everything Indian in high esteem. I know there are many areas where we stink to high heaven, and the west has made amazing and unparalleled contributions to the growth and development of mankind. But we are working on our not insignificant problems of a billion plus nation, without causing world wars and bloody revolutions which consume millions of people. This one is for India!

Computer Animation Techniques

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People often say that computer animation is a tough job and to a certain extent that holds true. It combines a lot of knowledge with creativity and walking the fine line between being productively creative and being a maverick animator.

2D animation technique

The techniques of computer animation vary a lot from general animation. They use software programs to give a real look and texture to the characters or images. In 2D animation, the figures are drawn using a 2D bitmap graphic or vector graphic. After giving the shapes or frames to the sequence, the animator moves them to the key frame where the software fills the gap required for the frames to move on.

The computer then automatically conducts its calculations for appearance of the frames which are called morphing or tweening. Morphing means seamless transition of the images. Tweening is the process in which the intermediate frames are inserted so that the evolving of the second image from the first images seems natural. Finally, the images are rendered. Rendering is the self-development by the computer to generate a figure from the existing data files.

3D graphic animation

Though almost all the work is same in 3D graphics, yet it differs from 2D. First, the images drawn or created always have a virtual skeleton. 3D animation has basically three steps – modeling, layout and animation. The last stage is similar to both and is called rendering.

In modeling, mathematical representation is implemented for the three-dimensional drawing. From creating general forms and shapes to the minutest specific details is a part of modeling. The sculpting tools are used for this purpose. This is also called visual styling. Then real world physics blends with animation physics. The emotions and expressions both facial and physical are properly mixed.

Now, the object or the image is placed in a scene for space and object relationship. It’s for specifying the motion of the object with respect to its location and size. Cinematography is another technique used in 3D animation for more perfection and camera angles. In cinematography, the lighting, composition and sequencing plays a vital role for the storytelling task. The last step is rendering. The techniques depend on the kind and model of the software used. If you have the more updated ones, you can do wonders while working on them.

Computer Game Animation

The video games or the computer games that are being played all around the world are animated games designed by animators. There are games like IGI, Counterstrike, MotoGP, Roadrash, Mid Town Madness, Age of Empire, Halo, and Medal of Honor that have been created with the help of advanced computer graphics and animation. The field of computer game animation includes modeling of characters, setting up of landscapes in accordance with the laws of physics or graphical mathematics and by using various animation softwares.

Game animation software may be a 2D or 3D. The nature of the game, its resolution and sophistication decide which animation software you will have to use. Some of these softwares are so sophisticated that an animator has to build the basic frames and the rest is adjusted by the computer to give the exact look to the figures.

Every thing from the character’s body types, facial expressions, physical poses, game loops, the lighting, and situations of the antagonists, enemies or contenders and reactions and consequences of varied results will depend on the details of your creation. The storyline of the game will depend on the script. You will have to follow the sequences of the script while designing the games.

2D computer game animation

The simple games with no high resolution and special effects are created with the help of 2D animation softwares. There you don’t need to follow certain laws of physics as to what will be the way the angle of fall if the bullet strikes in the right arm. They are simple games with less features and effects. The most powerful 2D animation software for games is the Bauhaus software that can give special effects and digital backgrounds.

3D game animation

The softwares that use 3D animation make high-quality games that will give you the thrill of virtual reality. The designing of these games are done by expert animators with the help of high-end workstations and softwares. There are many 3D softwares for making a game like SoftImage, Alias/Wavefront, Maya, 3D studios Max, and Lightwave 3D. Among all these 3Ds, Max software is regarded as the best for making next-generation games with its capacity to create apt controls of realistic lighting, dynamics and shading.

Videography Schools – Available Career Studies

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Working to create movies is a skilled process that requires a certain level of knowledge. Students can enter career studies in videography and learn the entire process of video production. With the desire to work in this industry students can learn about the available career studies offered by videography schools to train for an exciting career working as videographers.

The ability to capture motion on video may seem easy but the effort that goes into this action encompasses more than just shooting an image. Students go to college to learn all the procedures and latest techniques in video production. Career studies focus on both the artistic and technical side to the industry. This includes cinematography, directing, sound editing, camera usage, post-production, lighting, and much more. Students should expect to learn these areas thoroughly inside degree programs dedicated to creating professional videographers. Career studies teach students how to work with equipment, understand video production terminology, record sound, write for a script, and direct. Videography degrees are filled with courses that prepare students for the professional workplace. Beginning courses start with the fundamentals.

*Fundamentals of Video Production

Students can expect to enter this course and understand several production procedures. This includes the role of a multi-camera and single-camera studio production. The main process of pre-production, production, and post-production is focused on in light of working with a team and equipment. The knowledge on how to use cameras, video equipment, videotape, and studio time to complete a project finishes up this type of course.

*Fundamentals of Scriptwriting

Degree programs that offer this course introduce students to all areas of the writing process. This typically includes learning the different techniques to write for television shows, commercials, corporate videos, and feature length films. The fundamentals are studied by learning about the history of scripting, literary adaption, narration, and dialogue.

*Fundamentals of Lighting

A lighting course is crucial to the development of a film. Students learn the basic techniques for design and equipment. The study centers on scene lighting, design, light filtration, correction, and grip equipment. The learning process rounds out when students develop a lighting design for a production. Through more advanced courses students study audio production, sound design, editing, production, and more. Learning at the intermediate and advanced levels take place in bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

*Studio Production

Students enter this course learning about the operation of a studio and learn about live-to-tape production. Specific looks at multi-camera production, the director, producer, crew, and performance help students understand how a studio production works. Many courses finish by having students write, produce, and direct a commercial.

*Producing

A course on producing teaches students the role of a media producer. The ability to prepare a budget, manage people, interact with a client, develop a story, and coordinate with another producer are focal points in this kind of course.

All of these courses and procedures are coupled with the ability to make a movie. Students can expect to walk away from videography schools fully capable of completing every role in the video production process. Enter a college program that is fully accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools and learn how to become a videographer.