DAIJ - Describe, Analise, Interpretation, Judgement

‘Glorious Visions’ is an animation that was performed by Miwa Matreyek at TEDglobal in 2010. Using projections and her own silhouette, Miwa casts shadows to create a relaxing and meditational piece that can take us away from the distractions around us that keep us from making our own discoveries in life.

Describe:

Write what you see (the visual facts).

•                List the literal objects in the animation (trees, people, animals, mountains, rivers, etc.).

•                What do you notice first when you watch the animation? Why?

•                What kinds of colours do you see? How would you describe them?

•                What shapes can you see? What kind of edges do the shapes have?

•                What is the overall visual effect or mood of the work?

When I first watched this film, I thought it was one of the most clever things I had ever seen. Previously I would have never imagined that by using projectors, film could be created behind and in front of moving silhouettes. The whole effect was so calming and from the several times I’ve watched the film now, it never fails to impress me. Every time I watch it, I still seem to notice something new that I had not seen before.

The literal objects in the animation included:

-       Fruits/vegetables (apple, lemon, lettuce)

-       People/different body parts (eg, hands)

-       Animals (fish, birds, fish, bear, whale, dears, cat)

-       Butterflies

-       Fire

-       Plant life

-       Night and daytime sky (stars, comets, moon, clouds, sun)

-       Ocean (including ocean life like fish and a whale)

-       Rain

-       Bird’s nest with egg inside

-       Rainbow

All of these objects had similar shapes and colours. First of all, because they are all natural objects, instead of the shape being abstract and jerky, it was more smooth and organic. The colours were also natural. So mainly reds, blues, greens, yellows, blacks, browns were used. The natural and organic effect of the objects, shapes and colours of the animation help to give the film a very relaxing, meditational and reflective mood that leaves you in a peaceful state.

Analyse:

Mentally separate the parts or elements, thinking in terms of textures, shapes/forms, light/dark or bright/dull colours, types of lines, and sensory qualities. In this step consider the most significant art principles that were used in the animation. Describe how the artist used them to organize the elements.

•                How has the artist used colours in the work?

•                What sort of effect do the colours have on the animation?

•                How has the artist used shapes within the work of animation?

•                How has the artist used light in the work? Is there the illusion of a scene with lights and shadows, or does the artist use light and dark values in a more abstract way?

•                How has the overall visual effect or mood of the work been achieved by the use of elements of art and principles of design.

The artist has used many elements, shapes, colours and sensory qualities to create the film ‘Glorious Visions.’ The name pretty much speaks for itself because as you watch, the visions of the film really are glorious!

The artist has used many colours in this piece of work such as whites, reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, purples, browns and blacks, all quite organic colours. Even in the city scene, due to the fact it’s nighttime, there are no bright ‘in your face’ types of colours. Mainly deep blues and blacks are portrayed, with scattered yellow/white colours in the windows and on lights of buildings as well as for the stars in the sky. The more bold and natural colours used in the film have a very profound effect on the film. When the viewers see the calming colours, their brain also reacts and becomes calm as well, adding to the overall relaxing mood the film portrays. Similar to the colours, the shapes are also quite organic as most of the scenes involve natural objects like plants, animal life, the night sky and of course Miwa’s silhouette. Once again, the natural shapes of these objects have a profound effect on the calming mood of the film.

The artist has very cleverly put their illusion skills into action, using lights and shadows to blur the line between real and unreal. Having Miwa position herself in between projectors for the foreground and background film, she was able to cast silhouettes of her own body onto the screens, making it appear to the viewers that she was actually in and controlling the film. What we usually see on television and movies is contradicted; as instead of filming a person act out a role, Miwa performed live using silhouettes of her body creating an abstract film. All these elements of art and principles of design have a large overall impact on the visual effect and mood of the work, being achieved by using natural colour schemes, organic shapes, and illusions of lights and shadows. The film has a very calming effect on viewers due to these aspects. It removes the distractions, stressful and anxious emotions day-to-day life may bring us.

  

Interpretation:

An interpretation seeks to explain the meaning of the work based on what you have learned so far about the animation, what do you think the artist was trying to say?

•                Was the artist making a statement in this work? What was the Statement?

•                What do you think it means?

•                What does it mean to you? How does this relate to you and your life?

•                What feelings do you have when looking at this animation?

•                Do elements within the animation represent other things/symbols?

•                Why do you think that the artist chose to use this style of animation and make these kinds of artistic decisions?

I think the artist was trying to make a statement about just how beautiful earth and nature is, and how everything in the universe works together to make things happen. For example, in the scene where Miwa’s body silhouette acted as an island for a little person, so many animals and natural forces were working together just like they would in everyday life to keep this planet sustainable.

Examples of this:

-       The island (Miwa’s body) was a little home for the person, with shelter from trees and a barrier against the ocean’s forces.

-       A comet fell from the sky and onto the island, creating a fire for the person to keep them  warm and safe.

-       The person on the island made a small shelter out of the trees that grew. 

-       The fish provided Miwa (the island) and the passing birds with food.

To me, the statements that I think are being portrayed in this film help me to reflect on how we shouldn’t be destroying our Earth with fossil fuels. Instead we should all work together to create alternatives so our planet can continue to thrive just how it has for the past billions of years. It also makes me feel at peace with myself, tranquil and some how relieved as the calming music, colours, filming techniques and interesting storyline all combine to relax and help me remember to not worry about all of the little issues in my life that I more often than not mistaken for major problems. I think the intention the artist once had for the film’s outcome has been successfully achieved. Their artistic decisions have definitely made an impact on me and have helped me to interpret hidden messages.

  

Judgment:

After careful observation, analysis, and interpretation of an animation, you are ready to make your own judgment. This is your personal evaluation based on the understandings of the work. Here are questions you might consider:

•                Do you think this work has underlying value or worth?

•                 What value have you found in the work? (For example, is it a beautiful work of art, does it convey an important social message, affect the way that people see the world, make insightful connections, reaffirms a religious belief, etc.)

•                Do you think that the work has a meaning for others?

•                Do you feel that the work communicates an idea, feeling or principle that would have value for others?

•                Explore your criticism of the work as much as you would any positive perceptions. Realize that your own tastes and prejudices may enter into your criticism. Give your positive and negative perceptions.

I think this work definitely had underlying value and worth. It is such a creative film that would have taken a lot of time and thought to put together. It isn’t just a wonderful and insightful film to watch, it also conveys important messages (as I mentioned before) to viewers, and affects how people see the world. People of all ages can have different interpretations that will affect them in one way or another. Once they watch the film they can see the world as a planet with so much beauty. The only sad thing is that the human race is slowly killing the planet due to all the fossil fuels being released into the air. It makes us feel for the planet, and can remind us to always turn off lights when we leave rooms, recycle our rubbish and use our electricity sparingly to help slow down our impacts on global warming. Even though these are just small adjustments, if everyone contributes the planet can slowly become a more sustainable and environmentally friendly place.

I probably couldn’t point out a flaw in this film. I thought it was really amazing and whenever I watch it my opinion never changes. 

The only flaw I would be able to point out was that sometimes Miwa’s silhouettes were a little bit off as she moved just a bit too early or a tad to late. Except this only happened once or twice so it didn’t really have an impact on the overall film. 

Glorious Visions is such a peacefully relaxing and meditational film to watch. It can take us away from our busy lives and let us just focus on the calming music and story line, and the intriguing way Miwa uses her silhouette in such graceful precision.



Bibliography

Miwa Matreyek: Glorious Visions in Animation and Performance | Video on TED.com, http://www.ted.com/talks/miwa_matreyek_s_glorious_visions.html, (17/10/13)

Miwa Matreyek | Profile on TED.com, http://www.ted.com/speakers/miwa_matreyek.html, (18/10/13)

Animation Appraisal Task

“Glorious Visions”

- By Miwa Matreyek

1. How did the film make you feel?

I found this film very fascinating, as it was nothing like I had ever seen before. At the start I was so intrigued to find out what would happen next and how the performer ‘Miwa Matreyek’ could possibly time all of her movements so precisely. It was actually really relaxing to watch as well. Especially during the scene where she used her entire body shadow to act as a little island for the little person and the bear. All of her movements were really graceful and it still really intrigues me to find out just how long she would have had to rehearse every movement until they was faultless.

2. In your opinion, what was the most striking element of the film?

To me, the most striking element of the film was definitely how the animations in both the foreground and background worked so well with all of Miwa’s silhouette movements. The music and sound effects also made the film flow really smoothly, and I think all of these aspects contributed to the film being such a great success. 

3. List three other things that you found interesting?

Three other things that I found interesting in this film were:

-       How moving drawings had been added to certain scenes of the film to create a more ‘animated’ and ‘illusion’ effect. Here is are included screenshots from 1:13 and 1:22, for examples of this technique. As you can see in the first screenshot,  her finger appears as if it is pressing a button in the book. At the point where her finger appears to be touching the paper, drawn on animated lines and circles expand as she presses, creating the illusion that she is pressing a button. In the second screenshot, the red shapes on the book in the background have been drawn onto the original film and were moving in a circular motion. 

- I also really liked the fact that in the scene where Miwa was an island, the trees growing on her back grew roots right through her body, as her body was the soil that fed the trees.

-       The third aspect of the film that I found interesting was how Miwa’s silhouettes of her hands were behind the film of a human se of hands. The hands really looked like they were Miwa's, creating another illusion that really intrigued me. 

4. What meaning did you think the artist was trying to convey?

There could have been many possible messages the film was trying to convey, however I interpreted the message of everything working together to make something happen. Miwa had to combine her memory skills and hand gestures with the sound and animations around her. A good example of this is from the scene where Miwa uses her body as a little island of shelter and safety for a person. She was focusing on providing an island for the character while a star that fell from the sky provided the person with a fire for the warmth during the cold of the night. The fish in the ocean then provided Miwa (the island) with food to eat and when Miwa made a small kick with her foot at the end, she kicked up a wave that washed over the island (her back) to clear it and make way for another scene. Every aspect had to work together to create an overall product that I think was very successful. It helped me realise that every little thing you do counts and everything happens for a reason.

5. What is your overall impression of the film’s mood?

Overall, I think the film’s mood is quite meditational and creates a peaceful mood in the viewers who watch it. The graceful and elegant movements, combined with calming colours and music help viewers to relax and open their minds to not only the fascinating world of technology, but also to the world we live in.

6. Did sound play an important part in your response to the film?

Yes I think sound plays a very important part in the response and impressions I got from the film. Both the music and sound effects gave the animation rhythm, emotion and helped capture my full attention. Now thinking back, if the film didn’t have any sound included I wouldn’t have been left with the same relaxing impression, nor would I have been able to interpret and enjoy the film as much as I intentionally could have.

7. What comments can you make about the animators technique?

I think the animator’s technique was quite technically complicated, but the final outcome disguised this fact as the film was really smooth and flowing. There would have been several projectors for the film in the foreground and for the film in the background, leaving a space in between where Miwa stood or placed her hands to cast silhouettes. If Miwa’s body language and movement wasn't as graceful, the film would not have had the same overall effect, as the mood interpreted by the viewers would be more agitated.

8. Do you think that this animation would have been well planned?

Yes I definitely think this film/animation would have had to be well planned considering every animation or film n the background would need to be drawn or created, and all of Miwa’s movements would have had to be choreographed, rehearsed and learnt off by heart before any performance could be undertaken. Her movements would have had to be performed at the same time as certain sound effects and film occurred, otherwise the whole film would be a bit of a disaster if everything were out of time. All of the projectors projecting the film would’ve also needed to be positioned precisely so Miwa’s silhouettes could be cast over an exact spot to work alongside with the animation.

Self Reflection and Project Evaluation for Term 3, Year 9 Creative Media Animation Project

Discuss your feelings about the production task:

·      Are you satisfied with the final result?

       Yes I’m really happy with the outcome of my animation because over the past two terms I’ve put heaps of effort into drawing and finalising every scene, so I think the effort has definitely paid off.

·      Did the animation process require more or less time than you originally thought?

     I was actually really surprised with how I didn’t finish too early but haven’t had to stress about not being able to finish. My final animation was fully completed one week before the actual due date, which gave me plenty of time to adjust the soundtrack and make sure everything was in place. 

·      Would like to change any aspects of your final project (style of animation, the concept etc.)?

    I don’t think I would change any aspects of the final project because I feel as though everything in the storyline fits in well and I’m happy with the drawings and movements of the characters. Even though we’ve had ages to work on our animations, I wish we still had more time! I’d love to add in some more scenes, especially ones closer to the end.

·      If you could start the project again what would you do differently?

     If I was to start the whole project again, I might choose to have a different storyline with completely different sceneries to draw. For example I might chose to base my animation on an African Safari, which would contrast a lot from an underwater theme.  Sometimes I found it a little hard to always move objects up and down or side to side as if they were bobbing or swaying in the water. So if I started to base an animation with the story occurring on land, this may save time because I wouldn’t always have to make everything move.

Respond to each of the following dot points (using complete sentences or paragraphs). You should include as much detail as possible in your responses.

·      Discuss whether your final animation has turned out the way you imagined?

           I think my final animation has turned out to be better than I had imagined because one, I have never been able to draw whatsoever so I was really surprised with the amount of objects I actually drew, and two, everything fit together really nicely. When I was planning this animation at the start, I was worried about the storyline not running very smoothly from scene to scene. However not that it is finished, I can say that I do think each scene fits in well and there are no awkward scenes that don’t really join onto the previous one. 

·      Discuss whether you had to modify any elements of your original concept and planning to create your project.

      I didn’t really have to modify too much of the original concept and planning to create my animation. Some scenes I had to cut short and others I had to make longer, so everything tied together in the end. However I wanted to have one or two more scenes at the end where my fish swims into his reef and all the other fish are so happy for him to have found his colour again. 

·      Explain how your animation skills developed during the project (i.e. did you become more efficient? Did the quality of your animation improve? Did you have to use a variety of animation techniques? etc.

      My animation skills definitely developed during the project! I was a really big novice at the start because I only really knew how to draw one frame and kind of make it link onto the next. I was kind of familiar with the program however because in past years I had worked with it. I pretty much only knew how to use onionskins, how to trace on a picture and how to change paint colour, erase and fill. I slowly taught myself how to be more time effective with these tools and with Mr Powell’s help, I quickly learnt how to use layers, send objects behind, duplicate frames, add keyframes and exposures, use the transform tool, export each scene to QuickTime and last but not least add a soundtrack in Garageband. Especially as Term 3 progressed my time management skills greatly improved. A scene that once took me maybe 3 or 4 lessons could now only take me 2. Longer and more detailed scenes still took a much longer time but for the shorter scenes, I could effectively manage my time so I wasn’t rushing at the last minute.

·      Describe any problems or difficulties you encountered during the animation process. (These may include; technical difficulties, corrupt or missing files, difficulty using the editing software, problems exporting etc)

      I encountered several problems and difficulties during the animation process. These included:

·      USB’s freezing and quitting out because my animation was taking to long to save/import

·      Files not opening

·      Files going missing

·      Forgetting how to work a certain aspect of Animationish

          Although these were all really annoying and impacted my time, I got through them eventually

          and was able to get back to work. For the USB issues, this mainly occurred at the start of the

         project because instead of saving my animation to the desktop, I would save it to my USB. This

         took forever and often resulting the loss of some files or files not being able to open. At one

         point my whole completed shark scene somehow deleted form my USB so I had to start this

         scene from the beginning. Looking back, this wasn’t actually a bad thing because after making

         the scene once I knew what worked effectively and what didn’t really. I was able to draw better

         sharks and the movements had more flow and weren’t as jagged as they used to be. 

·      Explain if you made effective use of storyboards and scene planning/breakdown?

      I think I did use the storyboards and the planning/breaking down of my scenes effectively because I wasn’t stressing at the end because I had no time to finish my project and neither was I working on one scene heaps longer than another because a really big scene wasn’t split into two.

·      Describe whether your planning assisted or helped you to focus during the animation process.

      I think my planning did really help to assist me focus and manage my time effectively during the animation process. Whenever I felt as though I was moving at a snail’s pace, I would look back to my storyboards and take a mental note of how many scenes I still had to do. Most of the time I was actually sitting in a good position with my time management so I was really worrying over nothing.

·      Describe any time-management issues you or your group came across during the project and describe the steps you took to improve in this area.

          As I mentioned before, I didn’t really encounter any time management issues throughout the two terms we spent animating. If I did feel a little bit stressed for time, I would look back to my storyboards. This helped me plan how many lessons I should work on per scene, which ended up being effective because I finished my whole project on time. 

·      Discuss whether you undertook adequate and detailed reflection throughout your project. Have you provided enough evidence to support your work? (Look back at your blogs/journals and think about whether it looks like a whole term worth of work)

     Compared to our avatar unit, I personally feel like I’ve put much more effort into my blog for the animation unit. At the beginning of the project, I made it my goal to write a detailed reflection for every lesson, and if I could, I would always include a screenshot of my progress. I stuck to this goal and think my blog is pretty up to date with all of my progress over the past two terms. 

·      List any other software skills, animation techniques, tricks or shortcuts you have learned during the project.

      I’m pretty sure I have mentioned all I have learnt while doing this project, but overall I’ve learnt so many of Apple’s shortcuts such as command c (for copy) and command v (for paste) which if you add up every single time I’ve used them, they would have saved me so much time! In general I’ve also just learnt how to manage my time effectively and that the more you put in, the more you will get out :)

I can’t not say I haven’t enjoyed making my animation. Although it has been a very long and          sometimes frustrating process, I’m so happy and proud with my final outcome. I’ve learnt many computer skills that can help me later in life and have a really cool animation that I can look back on and watch for years to come.

ThankYou Mr Powell!!! 

FINISHED!!!

After 2 terms, 230 lessons, 18 scenes, 1310 frames and many hours of writing blog reflections I have fully finished my animation!! 

I'm so happy with the results because I've put so much effort and time into this project and the results have turned out to be better than what I had hoped for.

Here it is!......

Sound Effects

I went searching through youtube today for sound effects that Garageband doesn't have; such as good collision sounds for when the piece of coral hits my fish, swirling magic sounds for my fish's transformation, casino sound effects for the Fish Vegas scene and basic underwater sounds that can last for the duration of my animation. I was really happy with what I found so I converted the sound effects from youtube to my iTunes library then dragged them to Garageband and went from there. I'm so close to finishing all of the sounds now and I'm really excited!

Soundtrack

I found a really good sound track the I'll be playing in the backtrack for most of my animation called 'Send me on my Way'. I'm not too sure if I'll be playing this for the whole duration of my animation (which goes for about 1:30)  because other sounds such as special effects will probably become the more overpowering sound.
Here is a link to the song Send me on my Way:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuV2agQPgps

Garageband

My animation is finally up to the stage the drawings have finished and sound is ready to be added in! I'm so excited because after nearly two terms of drawing each scene, I can finally wrap up all my work and add a soundtrack. For the next couple of lessons I'll probably be working on this, and also over the weekend I'll try and aim to have all my sound done so the week after we get back from camp my animation is fully completed :)