Reading Week/Half Term

Over reading week and half term break I knew I would still need to do some work relating to my projects at college. Fortunately, before my last lesson at college I was able to borrow a few issues of 3D World from the college library, which I did find very useful for ideas of what I could build in Maya for my video tutorials. I also considered other things such as robots, characters and architecture from trips I have visited with college and included them in my research for things I could build in Maya for my video tutorials. Because these tutorials are aimed at beginners, I wanted to find something reasonably basic to build, but interesting at the same time. So far my favourite ideas are building a 3D version of the classic Pac Man game grid, including Pac Man and the ghosts, and building a robot, similar to Pixar's Wall.E.

I also needed to look at video recording and editing software, because I have never really used them to make videos. I specifically looked at QuickTime Player and iMovie, because they are already accessible on my Macbook Pro. I feel that, after reading the information I have gathered a few times, I should be able to confidently make the videos I need to for this project. One good thing about Quicktime Player is that it will let me record my screen activity, which is ideal for this project, because I can then show the audience what I'm explaining how to do in Maya.

I have also looked at existing tutorials, both for 3D software such as Maya, and also for other things too. One thing I thought to look at was the children's show Art Attack, where the presenter would do something arty and show the audience how he is doing it. One thing I could do for my tutorials is show how to do something for a bit, then, like with Art Attack, show a completed version of what I was demonstrating. Also, some of the 3D tutorials seemed a bit improvised, like they couldn't really do much planning for what they were going to say (one was a seminar, so they would have definitely needed to answer questions they might not have been expecting), so I feel that one way I could make sure I will explain things correctly is for me to devise a script for each tutorial, so I know exactly what I will say when the tutorials are being recorded.

One thing I was quite concerned and confused about during half term was the Professional and Contextual Studies module, and the work I needed to do for the module. This might have been because there was a big break, and I felt the module handbook was quite confusing, because I couldn't remember if some of the things in the handbook were covered in the lectures. One thing I did manage to complete, that was mentioned in the module handbook was a draft of an application for a funding grant for an art project from the Arts Council. Beforehand, I actually wrote an actual proposal for this, because I was finding this module so confusing. I based this draft application form on what I am doing on my work placement, which is helping others using the art skills I have obtained during my time at college.

Of course, I didn't spend all my time doing coursework. I did actually manage to go and see the Lego Movie, which was AWESOME! Just like the soundtrack for the film says so. I also really enjoyed a couple of days in Wales with dad, which I felt really helped me to unwind and relieve my stresses from the work. However, I do feel nervous about going back to college, because I don't know if I have done enough for my course to be where I am supposed to be, even though I feel I have done as much as I can.