Gollum's getup

What I didn't know:
-That Serkes wore a motion-capturing suit.
-That they're actually using motion-capturing instead of complete CGI.
-They motion capture was done for the actual facial expressions of characters.

Opinion: I wonder if this film will be a visual masterpiece....

Question: What did the animation cost alone?

Secrets of the viral video

What I didn't know: I didn't know that 72 hours of video is uploaded to youtube every minute, that's mind-blowing. I didn't know that there are entire companies out there dedicated to advertising viral videos. And I also didn't know that a view on youtube is counted after 15 percent of the video is played.

Opinion: I think that it's cool that viral videos have become a lucrative business considering how many people they entertain/inform.

Question: Just how big will the viral video "Industry" become?

This week.

What I learned: I observed different film-making styles with the movies we watched this week and learned how much style varies from director to director.

What I want to learn: I kind of want to get into the "Production" stage of digital media... I'm better at that than pre and post-production.

Frustration: Missing files.

Happiness: Knowing that Christmas is only a little over a week away :D

Something of interest: Ok, this is so rad

Peter Ramsey interview.

I didn't know that Peter Ramsey did the storyboarding for "A.I", I love that movie. I didn't know that so many people had conceptions about "Rise of the guardians", and I didn't know that this film had inspiration from classic mythology.

I think that I may actually give this film a watch even though I don't usually watch children's movies, this one looks good.

Question: Are these directors realizing how over-used CGI animation is or.....

Marvel.

I learned from the article that DC is planning a "Justice League" film, That Joss Whedon is working on a TV show, and that (Obviously) Marvel is going to make an astonishing amount of money this year.

I like that Marvel's films are generally faithful to their comic origins (MOSTLY..), I also like their thinking in the sense that they knew how profitable the "Avengers" film would be.

I wonder if Marvel will ever do a re-boot of "Daredevil".... I'd love to see a better adaptation....

This week.

I learned that after-effects can be mind-blowingly complicated, I want to learn how to make more special effects in after-effects. I like that I'm doing really well at keeping with my blogs, I dislike that I didn't get a couple of things handed in this week.

Link: Javier Bardem being sinister in Skyfall.

Twilight romance.

What I didn't know: That some people are honestly sickeningly obsessed with Twilight, That grown women are as obsessed as teenaged girls and that it can actually affect people's marriages.

My opinions: The fans of Twilight are even worse than the series itself and I just don't understand the appeal of these poorly written films/books.

Question: Why do people like these things so much?

Article Response: Spongebob

What I didn't know: That they're making a stop-motion spongebob episode, Also that they are making it very close to the original 2D version, and that it's premiering in 2 days.

Opinions: This is definitely a cool idea! It might even give the show a retro feel.

Question: If this special is well-received will there be more like it made?

This week.

What I learned: More about using after-effects

What I hope to learn: How to create more text effects.

Frustrations: Having AE lock up on me every now and then.

Happiness: Getting a new phone :D

Link: Now this is strange

Weekly junk

Something I learned this week  Some people just aren't meant to narrate movie trailers.

Something that made me happy this week Finishing "Quest" in a good amount of time.

Something that made me mad Intervention and hoarders not being on Monday night (Seriously they're messing with my Monday Ritual... thanks A&E)


Link:

http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3203631/tv-hannibal-shacks-up-with-eddie-izzard/

Article Response: Glasses

What I didn't know: I didn't know that glasses had been invented that can help people who are color blind see colors better, I also didn't know that there are two common forms of color-blindness, and I also didn't know that these glasses would be so cheap, $400-600 isn't really a ton when you consider how much eye-correction surgery is.

Opinons I think it's really great that people with color blindness now have a surgery-free option to improve their vision, however, I think it's stupid that people who are actually colorblind have to pay more than people who aren't.... should be the other way around.

Question Will this product be a success or a flop?

"The bay" article response

What I learned -Barry Levinson filmed this movie almost completely using smart phone cameras and webcams. -Barry Levinson directed "Rain man" -The director wasn't present many of the times the actors filmed themselves.

Opinions I think that it was a revolutionary idea to film a movie in this style, I mean sure, films like "Cloverfield" have a similar style, but they weren't filmed completely on phones/consumer grade cameras. I also think that the film will be very good when it comes out (I was already anticipating it before I received this article.

 Question: How long did the editing process take for this film?

Article Response: Disc Drives

Things I didn't know 1. Apple is basically eliminating disc drives from their computers. 2. Apple will offer external disc drives for an extra cost (Of course) 3. Apple is releasing a new pro desktop next year. I think that it's kind of stupid that Apple is eliminating disc drives, people still want to rip CD's as opposed to downloading MP3's because of the overall better quality in CD audio (High bitrate), I also think that his is kind of a money-grubbing move on Apple's part making the disc drive another extra you have to buy. I wonder if other software companies will follow in their footsteps.

Article response: Sandy images

Things that I didn't know: 1. Just how much damage was done to NYC, It looks like a disaster film. 2. That sharks couldn't swim through the streets of NYC during the flooding. 3. That people really took so much time to make fake photos... Losers. Opinions: 1. Water-side areas need to learn from this and better prepare their buildings, streets, etc for the worst. 2. People have no lives. Question: How long will NYC take to fully recover from this disaster?

Weekly comments homie

What I learned: Lot's of new camera angles and strategies of capturing the angles. Something that made me happy: The weekend finally coming, honestly this week felt like it lasted FOREVER. Something that made me mad: Nothing, really.

Weekly post.

Something I've learned: -Editing on adobe premiere. What I hope to learn: -How to create special effects. Frustration: -Trying to find a train sound Happiness: -Getting things done at a better pace! PS. I went to see "Sinister" this weekend and it was great! Actually freakin' scary. Link of interest. http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3199062/horror-education-of-the-week-poltergeist/

Water wigs.

What I didn't know: -That photos like this could even be taken. -That the photos are made with water balloons. -That they were taken with a commercial camera. Opinions: - Oh my god this is so cool. -They should do something like this with Jello. Question: What else is possible with these cameras?

Article response: Social media checking.

Things that I didn't know. -That California made a bill that prohibits employers from asking people for their social media log-ins -That so many employers actually do ask for log-in info. -That other states are adopting similar bills. Opinions. -I think it's insane for employers to ask for log-in info -I hope more states adopt this law. Question: Just how much do our jobs look into our online lives?

Article Response: Film-making tips.

3 Things I didn't know: Joss Whedon directed "Cabin in the woods" (GREAT modern horror movie/dark comedy), That Joss Whedon directed the Avengers (One of the highest-grossing movies of all time) and that in the industry, sometimes right after a slow few years in your career, you can land a smash hit. 2 Things that I liked: That Whedon is a cross-genre director (Horror, action, etc). That he never gave up on what he wanted to do. Question: I've heard that there's a "Cabin" sequel in the works, i wonder if it's true.

Dawn of the dead pets article response.

3 things i didn't know: That "Corpse bride" was stop motion, That Tim Burton used his own childhood to inspire this movie, and that "Frankenweenie" is going to be in black and white. 2 things that I liked: That Tim Burton is directing the film! and that they're making the film in black and white, i think it creates a great atmosphere for a film like this. Question: What will Tim Burton's next live action film be?

Week Overview.

What i learned this week: How to create a sound story using garage band. What I hope to learn in the future: Perfecting my photoshop skills. Frustration: Trying to find photos for my photo montage. Positive: I got to make a documentary :D Link: Well apparently Adele did the song for the new James Bond film "Skyfall", I have to say the track definitely has that classic "Bond" feel to it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeyUoh46y6o

Star Trek article response

What I learned. -Star Trek dominated the box office in the 80s -"Reboots" of shows were not common in the 80s -The show has a huge cult following. Opinions. -Star trek has some of the craziest fans out there. -I can see another spin off of "Star Trek" in the near future. Question. I wonder how many hardcore trekkies still live in their mom's basements.

Paranorman article response

What I didn't know. -That stop motion animation is still alive and well in the movie industry. -That the director of paranorman was inspired by the stop motion effects in the zombie films he watched growing up. -John Goodman is in Paranorman. Opinions. -Due to new technology, children's films are extremely well made and some of the animation is mind blowing. -The best way to make an animated film is to have well-known actors behind at least some of the voices. Question. Now that stop motion is popular again, Can we get another "Team America"?

Article Response: Expression Robots

What I didn't know: -That expressive robots had even been invented. -That we as humans use certain gestures and signes to tell if we should trust someone. -That robots were capable of being programed to appear emotional. Opinions: -It's kind of scary that soon enough robots could be human-like. -I don't really think that this invention is necessary. -This is creepishly similar to "i-robot" Question: Will every home in America own a robot at some point?

Article Response: 3D Printers.

What i didn't know: -That 3D printers even existed. -That they aren't even a new invention. -That you can literally create a replica of any object using a 3d printer. Opinions: -Holy crap this is so cool. -I want one. -I will pay any amount of money to own one of these. Question: Why was i not made aware of this amazing device earlier?

This week.

Sooo this week has been basically the first week class has really been in full swing here. It's a little overwhelming to be honest with all of the different projects we're juggling, But I'm getting used to it. I learned quite a bit about photoshop this week and my skills are drastically improving, although A LOT of the time it's been very frustrating but I've learned to be patient. I hope to learn a lot more when it comes to using photoshop so I can get projects done at a more efficient rate.

I'm a little overwhelmed with all of this photoshop stuff still.

But I'm slowly learning.... keyword slowly...

Something.