Chloe Jane Hesketh

A Theory of Fun...

A Theory of Fun by Raph Koster is a book designed to inspire game designers to think of new bigger and better game ideas, furthermore it includes a narrative about what drives us as consumers to seek out new products whilst for it to become an addiction.


"Koster is widely recognized as one of the world's top thinkers about game design"

After mentioning the book "Convergence Culture"- whilst explaining that we had to create a Wiki which will provide information for others to be able to use in order to complete an essay question; myself and my team members then had to present our Wiki in our media lecture to the other media students. Due to doing extra research about "Convergence Culture"- we added the vital information which would answer the essay question "Discuss what is meant by, Transmedia storytelling, you should find some examples". Collectively within our team all members added a variety of information, resources as well as Youtube videos and images to be able to answer the question effectively. 

Personally I enjoyed researching about the book as it created a discussion with the reader; for instance George Gilder stating  "the computer had come not to transform mass culture but to destroy it"- I thought this quotation made me think deeper into whether the computer is so extroadanary or is it destorying mass culture? For instance I know myself if I want to know something I will search the internet to find it, therefore the computer is simply one big brain... yet is this information as trustworthy as a book? As Wikipedia, anyone can collectively add information to what "they" think something means. If you have missed an episode of X Factor, you can easily  watch it online... does this take away the experience of watching it with family and friends making media more personal? Do you appreciate media as much, because you know you can watch it online? Initally if you were not there at the point of time of screening you will ultimately have missed that episode, therefore does this make you more loyal to the television show because you know you must be there at a specific time to watch it?

Henry Jenkin's basically questions the different platforms of viewing media whilst whether they are effective. There is more information on our Wiki page: www.convergence-culture.wikia.com

Initially we came up with the concept of coloured white-board pens, yet we elaborated coming up with a variety of ideas to narrow this concept. Meanwhile we concluded with the idea of drawing a picture using the white-board pens, however the objects which we were drawing would metaphorically come to life through the use of stop-frame animation. Ultimately this was a time consuming process as we decided to portray the growing process of a flower along with it interacting with another flower too. Due to taking a variety of images we wanted to make sure the continuity flowed, therefore we used a tripod to get the correct height and balance for each shot. 

Working as a team in a small group we have been given a brief to create a short film with the theme "People on the Move"- therefore at some point within the narrative it must illustrate people on the move. Initially we watched previous years films for the same project, to give ourselves some inspiration whilst an overview of what our lecturers are expecting from us. 

 Before we began filming it was crucial that we filled out the Risk Assessment Policy; which are guidelines which we must obey when filming for example "Never film alone- minimum of two students ALWAYS"- therefore we must have a clear understanding of these in order to be able to film our production appropriately. 

Each of our team played different roles, whether it involved organising when to pick up the filming equipment,  to making sure we all meet on time. Furthermore we all had the chance to use the video camera, using different angles to decode different meanings- we filmed all parts involved twice just in case the first one was not efficient enough. 

Production Poster

Ultimately we have now got a first draft of the film, which we are going to edit. Meanwhile I have not given you any information about the film, yet I will update my blog when the film is completed giving you a brief overview of the film as well as a video link for you to watch and give your comments.

by Henry Jenkins

As I was touring around Liverpool, I took some snap shots of some of the monuments and buildings which I found intriguing. Due to now having a Flickr account, where I can ultimately upload images which I have taken and edited; I thought I would take some more to build on this. Furthermore I added a caption along with a description underneath the original and edited images describing the process I went through in order to achieve the final outcome. Effectively by just editing the pictures which I had taken I can create a type of mood in which I would want the viewer to decode. Although, I only took the images a few days ago, by editing the images I can make them look as though they are years old or extremely modern just by changing the colour, contrast or saturation.

Due to being in the process of creating sequential art 6-frame narrative within a group, building on my editing skills can be reflected within this piece of work, to create different moods which the viewer can decode or enhance specific objects which we want the viewer to notice and create meaning from. 

Sequential art dates right back to the 17th century, furthermore it was the process of illustrating a narrative through a variety of images which were mainly used within comics. Meanwhile storyboards, film and animation also relate to sequential art too

Collective Intelligence...

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When considering "Media is the Massage" Mcluhan stated that the content was more vital than its form; furthermore regardless of what is being stated within the media the impact is the means of communication. Resulting that the same information could be published using a variety of mediums yet it can still decode a different message to the viewer or reader. Along with this Mcluhan stated:

Therefore Mcluhan elaborates that print technology such as; newspapers and magazines were the written culture, were consumers would read the information individually. Meanwhile oral communication such as; radio and television were listened to or reviewed by more than one person at a time, which created a "mass" audience- this adapts to the title of the book "The medium is the massage". I thought that his work was admiring through the use of quotations which almost injects audience's to re-think everyday situations. 

Initially my job role was to explore the city of Liverpool showing evidence of this through a camera lens.  Along with this I had to be selective using a variety of shot types which will portray parts of Liverpool effectively. Furthermore I had taken pictures from different angles, for example a low angle shot of The Wellington Monument; due to the building towering over Liverpool, I thought that taking the picture from a low angle would alternatively portray power of the historical monument. 


In order to
enhance the images I then used Adobe Photoshop to do this, although this was my first time using the software it was not too difficult to adapt to. Perhaps this is because I tend to edit my own pictures in my spare time if I feel the images are quite dark, I will edit the brightness. I usually use the software Picasa which is not as professional as Adobe Photoshop yet they both acquire similar tools. The image of the The Wellington Monument I thought I would change the background colour as initially it was very stereotypical. Therefore I edited the brightness, contrast and saturation tool to do this. Ultimately this gave the image a warm vibe with sense of elegance which defined the structure of the monument.

After becoming familiar with Adobe Photoshop and editing some of the images which I had taken, I then had to choose the one I preferred the most and keep it up on my computer screen for others to view. Ultimately I choose the picture which I had taken in the evening as I thought this was a comparison to the day time images which I had taken. Subsequently I thought the evening images created a mysterious mood as they did not define everything which could have been seen in daylight. I took the image as a long shot, as I thought this created a distance for the viewer as though you are almost "spying" on the building rather than "admiring" its structure. The image itself was initially quite dark due to it being took in the evening, however when editing it I still lowered the brightness as I thought this creates emphasis upon the windows making the audience feel as though they are not included within the warmness the inside pf the building brings. 

 Using Adobe Photoshop was a great way to enhance images especially to create a different connotations. When everyone within the lecture had chosen their image they wanted everyone to review, I was pleased when a people from my lecture choose my image as their favourite, which will consequently be added to a prize draw along with a few others. I enjoyed working with Adobe Photoshop  yet I am going to find more time to use the software to become more familiar with the tools provided. 

My recent media experience...

Crucially a film must be engaging within the first few seconds, otherwise I will alternatively watch something I already know that is worth a watch. Yet I found myself watching Taken not so long ago, and I was glued to the television from the start, which does not happen very often. Furthermore, I do not tend to watch action films usually comedy, romance or chick-flick but I was defiantly inspired by Taken. 

                      

The narrative played with my mind, whilst kept me intrigued throughout, although I did not want to particularly watch some of the parts as they sent shivers down my spine, it became an addiction. Liam Neeson who plays the fatherly figure, becomes notified by the fact his daughter wants to go to Paris with her friend, yet needs his permission. For him this is life or death, due to his job involving crime investigations he was furious whilst paranoid about the idea. 

                     

I will not carry on as this will spoil your experience, but I recommend you to watch Taken, even if you are not inspired by action or crime this film may just change your viewpoint. Taken 2 trailer has only recently been publicized, lets hope its just as creditable as the first part.