Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Project 2 Workshopping
This morning I pulled my draft... I worked on it for a week, and I decided today that I didn't feel comfortable with the content. I am working with Windows Movie Maker for my project. It is easy to use and it combines text, images and sound well. Instead of my original idea, I am now going to use an excerpt of a short story that I have been working on, along with images and sound. I feel confident in my new project, and do not anticipate any problems. I will post it later today after completion, if anyone would like to comment then. Sorry for not having anything now, but I chickened out! Erin
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Thinking of Project #2...
For project #2, I am thinking about telling a short story and incorporating sounds and images to emphasize each part. I really liked how Windows Movie Maker worked, and I don't think that I would have any trouble using it.
I also liked the Google map idea to tell a story, and I thought about using it to talk about the state of Pennsylvania, based on a quote that I read from a political scientist.
I need to find out if the two programs can be combined...
If I don't use Google Maps, I think that I will still somehow incorporate the story of PA into my project.
I also liked the Google map idea to tell a story, and I thought about using it to talk about the state of Pennsylvania, based on a quote that I read from a political scientist.
I need to find out if the two programs can be combined...
If I don't use Google Maps, I think that I will still somehow incorporate the story of PA into my project.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Applying McCloud's Concepts
Well, the examples from last Thursday's class were pretty simple and it was rather easy to see McCloud's ideas, such as icon and simplification, and apply them to the works. But when I looked over the newer examples, however, they didn't seem to be as cut and dry as the first ones...
Looking again, though, gave me some more vision into them, making the cross-referencing easier.
First, "On the Night of Mr. Melvyn's Murder" was truly terrific, and such fun. It can certainly be discussed in the "sequential writing" (or lack thereof) topic. It uses links, that you as the reader choose, to meet new characters, see how they connect with one another as characters, and that ultimately tells the story. You can't make a wrong choice. You can just either lengthen or shorten the story, depending on the path you choose. The fun of the story would be gone if it had to read sequentially. Part of the excitement is trying to make sure you get through every character profile before the end. The non sequential aspect really works, and adds thrill, to this writing.
Also in this piece is the iconic portrayal of the characters. They are pretty stereotypical (and hilarious), and do wonders for the writing, as it would be pretty bland without their visual presence. ("Drag" is pretty funny.)
The "Zombie and Mummy" cartoons seem to fit well into the "amplification through simplification" approach. The illustrations are easily recognizable in their form, and go well with the simple and ironic stories.
The juxtaposition of the small, non-framed, continuous scroll cartoons within the larger scene really add to the effect. Because you actually have to locate, and interact with the cartoon its self, is a significant part of the reading. The use of boundaries (or none) is important in "Zombie and Mummy."
Looking again, though, gave me some more vision into them, making the cross-referencing easier.
First, "On the Night of Mr. Melvyn's Murder" was truly terrific, and such fun. It can certainly be discussed in the "sequential writing" (or lack thereof) topic. It uses links, that you as the reader choose, to meet new characters, see how they connect with one another as characters, and that ultimately tells the story. You can't make a wrong choice. You can just either lengthen or shorten the story, depending on the path you choose. The fun of the story would be gone if it had to read sequentially. Part of the excitement is trying to make sure you get through every character profile before the end. The non sequential aspect really works, and adds thrill, to this writing.
Also in this piece is the iconic portrayal of the characters. They are pretty stereotypical (and hilarious), and do wonders for the writing, as it would be pretty bland without their visual presence. ("Drag" is pretty funny.)
The "Zombie and Mummy" cartoons seem to fit well into the "amplification through simplification" approach. The illustrations are easily recognizable in their form, and go well with the simple and ironic stories.
The juxtaposition of the small, non-framed, continuous scroll cartoons within the larger scene really add to the effect. Because you actually have to locate, and interact with the cartoon its self, is a significant part of the reading. The use of boundaries (or none) is important in "Zombie and Mummy."
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
(Draft) Project #1 and Preface
For my first project, I decided to add some visual elements and kinesthetics to a traditional text, the nursery rhyme "The Itsy Bitsy Spider."
I first thought about experimenting with my own text, and creating a sort of concrete poem, but the more I tried, the more it went downhill... For some reason (probably because I recite it a few times a week to my children) "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" popped into my head, and I started thinking about how the text would "look" to a reader, in a visual way.
Certainly there is much movement reciting the nursery rhyme, with its generally prescribed movements, but I tried not to think of them, and instead focused on the movement of the words as they are read.
There is quite a lot of movement indicated by the verse's words, and I juxtaposed the text in a way that (hopefully) gives the feeling of moving along with the words, the story. Once, I think, the reader orients them self with the text placement, it makes sense. To look at the text placement in a traditional way adds confusion, naturally, but the familiarity of the verse allows one to easily navigate it after looking it over for a moment.
I also utilized repetitive color and images to give impact to the nouns in the rhyme, and to create a visual element for the mind to focus on while reading.
I feel that since my adaptation is a variation of a familiar writing, it really addresses the reader, and involves kinesthetics. The eyes must travel in the correct path to understand, and when they do, the movement actually goes along with the words of the verse.
A note on technology:
I used Microsoft Word to create my multimedia writing, although I downloaded Gimp and tried (for a long while...) to reproduce the writing there with a bit more pizazz (the images, mostly), I was unable to succeed. I will continue practicing with Gimp, and hopefully be able to use it for future projects. I do, however, think that the simplicity of my creation suits its purposes, as one can move around it freely without much distraction.
Strike Microsoft Word... I ended up using Paint.
I first thought about experimenting with my own text, and creating a sort of concrete poem, but the more I tried, the more it went downhill... For some reason (probably because I recite it a few times a week to my children) "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" popped into my head, and I started thinking about how the text would "look" to a reader, in a visual way.
Certainly there is much movement reciting the nursery rhyme, with its generally prescribed movements, but I tried not to think of them, and instead focused on the movement of the words as they are read.
There is quite a lot of movement indicated by the verse's words, and I juxtaposed the text in a way that (hopefully) gives the feeling of moving along with the words, the story. Once, I think, the reader orients them self with the text placement, it makes sense. To look at the text placement in a traditional way adds confusion, naturally, but the familiarity of the verse allows one to easily navigate it after looking it over for a moment.
I also utilized repetitive color and images to give impact to the nouns in the rhyme, and to create a visual element for the mind to focus on while reading.
I feel that since my adaptation is a variation of a familiar writing, it really addresses the reader, and involves kinesthetics. The eyes must travel in the correct path to understand, and when they do, the movement actually goes along with the words of the verse.
A note on technology:
I used Microsoft Word to create my multimedia writing, although I downloaded Gimp and tried (for a long while...) to reproduce the writing there with a bit more pizazz (the images, mostly), I was unable to succeed. I will continue practicing with Gimp, and hopefully be able to use it for future projects. I do, however, think that the simplicity of my creation suits its purposes, as one can move around it freely without much distraction.
Strike Microsoft Word... I ended up using Paint.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Countdown to a Textual/Visual Intersection
I really enjoy our assigned "readings" for this class. People are so creative and can mesh their talent with technology to produce some great things. For the first project, I would love to create a highly layered, highly digitized piece of art, but I can tell you honestly that that is not going to happen, because I am not technologically savvy enough to implement such devices....
I am aiming more toward a concrete poem, still creative, but not so "techy."
I have also, however, bravely thought about doing something with just a few links... I'm not sure, but I doubt that I will.
I have been thinking about a lot of subjects/words to use in my "notated word" project, but I am still not sure of exactly which I will choose.
Some subjects/words I have tossed around are:
Baby, Aeroplane, Cheese, Haircut, Clams, Bibliothek...
I just have to move on and do some sketches on paper. I will probably use either MS Paint or MS Word (or both) as the vehicle for my poem?story?game?
I guess it's time to get started...
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Countdown to a Textual/Visual Intersection, Supplemental
After reading the email before class, and then hearing even more information in class, I fell confident in the project. I felt pretty confident before, but the extra information was helpful. I have been thinking a lot about the project between my blog posting last night and class today.
I really do not have any questions, because I think we will see some examples of technology used in this manner in class today, which will probably clarify my technology questions...
(Some practice above.)
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