If I was to truly and effectively 'critically reflect' on the events I have written about I could just about write a small book.. I have really only been scratching the surface, as I feel that I am not to bad at this critical analysis 'thing' : ) but generally don't know where to start or stop when required to condense an idea. There is all ways such a large back story behind our daily experiences and I think that in order for me to establish a context the read can more clearly understand I must first outline each situation. This in a way limits the actual 'critical reflection' part to a paragraph or two at the end of a explanatory rant. However for the terms of this assignment I am very happy looking back over what I have written at different times.. As the reader can probably tell I am a very open and outspoken person..I just try to be me without a fear of others opinions while attempting to be a moral and good person as much as I can.. Easier said than done in a economic and societal structure based upon competition and self first priority.
I have always had a very inquisitive mind and never accepted anything on face value. I extensively research 'things' for myself from as many different sources as I can, to get a more holistic and unbiased view of XYZ.. I have a serious thing for contemplation : ) Over the course of writing these different blog entries and attempting to critically analyze creative inputs from all the different experiences I have accumulated over this semester. I have not come to any points of self discovery per say but it has definitely been an interesting and personally rewarding process!
Now for a slight deviation....I have always thought that I may be a little ADD and a lot OCD.. Interestingly enough, no one had ever mentioned it to me before.. one day I raised the possibility that I may have OCD to my friends and family and they all agreed, stating that it was often quite obvious and not sure why it have never been mentioned, this semi confirmation kind of shocked me! I have always (since the day I started school) struggled to complete school work on time, I'm not 100% sure why but I feel that it's not my fault that I don't directly fit the typical schooling structure learning style. I struggle because I can't focus for long periods..I find it very difficult to sit down and buckle into something. But at the same time this is twisted by my obsessive compulsive tendencies, I have to do it in 'such a way' that it's extremely time-consuming, so I don't like doing it in the first place because once I begin it just takes me such a long time to get even a small amount done. For example I can't handle messy notebooks..I write in pencil and then go over the top later in pen... a waste of time I know but I just 'Have to do it'!
So I finally hope that I found the right course doing this BCT, because I feel that it is designed for people with unconventional learning styles such as mine. Over all this year so far has been fantastic and stressful in many different ways, I have learned an incredible number of new skills while at the same time feeling quite miserable with much of my schoolwork because I am unable to complete it to a standard that am remotely happy with due to the speed at which we are progressing. Just as I'm getting excited about something we move on to the next thing.
Hope that didn't sound to negative..
Long story short.. I LOVE it! This is definitely what I want to be doing, bring on Semester two!!!!!!!!!! : )
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Event Blog 8: Apple WWDC10 vs Google I/O Conference
Now this is one of my favorite topics as I am personally an owner and consequently promoter of the iPhone.. on Monday, 8 June. Apple released their latest creation iPhone 4.. And to be honest.. it kicks ass!!
While at the same time Google, Apples largest competitor currently was holding a conference of their own, talking about their new Android operating system Froyo 2.2, there soon to be released Google TV platform and how much they grown and developed as a company over the last few years.
I find it very interesting having watched the entirety of both 2hour long keynote presentations that both companies are continually having a dig at each other, Apple putting up statistics to put down Android and Google doing the same, hacking away at Apple's creations because they are not an open source platform like Android.
Just decided I'm going to focus on Apple and try keep it to the point as this topic could go on forever..
Apple has been absolutely dominating the electronics industry over the last few years. It was only a few weeks ago that apple surpassed Microsoft to become the largest electronics manufacturer on the planet, the rock that was Microsoft is slowly corroding.
Apple is the King of hype, they are well known for yearly updates of each of their product lines, the iPad, iPhone and iPod, this is strategically spread throughout the year into quarterly increments the iPad in March, iPhone in June, iPod in September... An ever growing fan base of millions of people every year are permanently hung in anticipation of our Apple Over Lords next release.. There is no debate that their designs are second to none, but this means they also have great insight into how the human mind works and thus produce powerful advertising and marketing schemes which have made them the massive success they have become in recent years.
One of the biggest tools for profit maximization in nearly any industry is the use of 'planned obsolescence' and 'perceived obsolescence', both of which Apple now have down to a fine art. Because they focus so heavily on the visual look and appeal of their products and change it drastically with every update, many people purchase a new version of a product they all ready own simply because apple has crafted themselves as the definition of 'Cool'. A product that is only two years old sticks out like a sore thumb and looks ancient in comparison... making people feel insecure.. that they are not keeping up with social trends... and aren't as cool or happy as 'roger' who has the latest XYZ...
I have recently been thinking that the best way I can describe the hype that they create is 'Tech Lust'. By the time a year rolls round and your poor little brain has been getting slammed on a daily bases by indirect advertising (every person you know has or wants an iPod/everybody calls mp3 players iPods even when it's not an apple product).. you can't help but want to upgrade because the latest greatest XYZ seems so AMAZING it could change your life... Yet the under lying focus is to give XYZ just enough functionality that you really want to buy it but with enough holes in the functionality that there is continually something to upgrade to incrementally each year. It's very strategic purpose is to extend their empire and maximize profit.
I could easily be considered a minion of sorts.. as I have sold about 25 iPhones to people over the last few years while at the same time I promote that people should 'jailbreak' the device. This means modding the operating system to remove the restrictions placed upon it by Apple (which are an over whelming amount) and giving that power back to the owner of the device. There in lies the controversy, Apple products are amazing yet the draconian rule placed on them is rather scary if you truly understand the depths of it...
While at the same time Google, Apples largest competitor currently was holding a conference of their own, talking about their new Android operating system Froyo 2.2, there soon to be released Google TV platform and how much they grown and developed as a company over the last few years.
I find it very interesting having watched the entirety of both 2hour long keynote presentations that both companies are continually having a dig at each other, Apple putting up statistics to put down Android and Google doing the same, hacking away at Apple's creations because they are not an open source platform like Android.
Just decided I'm going to focus on Apple and try keep it to the point as this topic could go on forever..
Apple has been absolutely dominating the electronics industry over the last few years. It was only a few weeks ago that apple surpassed Microsoft to become the largest electronics manufacturer on the planet, the rock that was Microsoft is slowly corroding.
Apple is the King of hype, they are well known for yearly updates of each of their product lines, the iPad, iPhone and iPod, this is strategically spread throughout the year into quarterly increments the iPad in March, iPhone in June, iPod in September... An ever growing fan base of millions of people every year are permanently hung in anticipation of our Apple Over Lords next release.. There is no debate that their designs are second to none, but this means they also have great insight into how the human mind works and thus produce powerful advertising and marketing schemes which have made them the massive success they have become in recent years.
One of the biggest tools for profit maximization in nearly any industry is the use of 'planned obsolescence' and 'perceived obsolescence', both of which Apple now have down to a fine art. Because they focus so heavily on the visual look and appeal of their products and change it drastically with every update, many people purchase a new version of a product they all ready own simply because apple has crafted themselves as the definition of 'Cool'. A product that is only two years old sticks out like a sore thumb and looks ancient in comparison... making people feel insecure.. that they are not keeping up with social trends... and aren't as cool or happy as 'roger' who has the latest XYZ...
I have recently been thinking that the best way I can describe the hype that they create is 'Tech Lust'. By the time a year rolls round and your poor little brain has been getting slammed on a daily bases by indirect advertising (every person you know has or wants an iPod/everybody calls mp3 players iPods even when it's not an apple product).. you can't help but want to upgrade because the latest greatest XYZ seems so AMAZING it could change your life... Yet the under lying focus is to give XYZ just enough functionality that you really want to buy it but with enough holes in the functionality that there is continually something to upgrade to incrementally each year. It's very strategic purpose is to extend their empire and maximize profit.
I could easily be considered a minion of sorts.. as I have sold about 25 iPhones to people over the last few years while at the same time I promote that people should 'jailbreak' the device. This means modding the operating system to remove the restrictions placed upon it by Apple (which are an over whelming amount) and giving that power back to the owner of the device. There in lies the controversy, Apple products are amazing yet the draconian rule placed on them is rather scary if you truly understand the depths of it...
Event Blog 7: The Apple iPad
For this event I have chosen to write about the release of the long awaited Apple iPad and its likely influence on the future of print media. In the short time since the iPad has been out it has received rave reviews the world over. Hailed as the 'Netbook killer' Apple recently announced that they have sold over 2 million in the first 59 days of release.. the fastest of any product hey have ever produced. In comparison it took over two years to sell the first 2 million iPods. As I am one of those 'early adopters' I have first hand experience with the future potential of this 'game changing' device.
After such a successful launch magazines, newspapers and website developers are just gagging to jump on the band wagon.. As 'eco' is a massive Buzz Word at the moment people are quickly looking to the iPad as the future of portable media content in ALL forms.. No more printers, no more paper... Digital is the progression.. It's far more intermate to use than the tried and true peripheral mouse and keyboard combo, lighter than a magazine, a real world 10+ hour battery life (but seriously, I havent charged it for 4 days and it still has 20%!!!)- incredible. HD screen with IPS technology (super high contrast ratio and 178degree viewing angle - minimal visual and color distortion). Nice to read on, crisp clear text..one thing that does a million things... the future is upon us!!
Coming next - Digital toilet paper??
After such a successful launch magazines, newspapers and website developers are just gagging to jump on the band wagon.. As 'eco' is a massive Buzz Word at the moment people are quickly looking to the iPad as the future of portable media content in ALL forms.. No more printers, no more paper... Digital is the progression.. It's far more intermate to use than the tried and true peripheral mouse and keyboard combo, lighter than a magazine, a real world 10+ hour battery life (but seriously, I havent charged it for 4 days and it still has 20%!!!)- incredible. HD screen with IPS technology (super high contrast ratio and 178degree viewing angle - minimal visual and color distortion). Nice to read on, crisp clear text..one thing that does a million things... the future is upon us!!
Coming next - Digital toilet paper??
Event Blog 6: Hidden Cameras
For this event I'm going to reflect on some recent work I did as the Technical Director for Topshelf Productions Ltd. The company which produces the television show Target.
I have worked for the company for over two years before deciding to go back to Uni to do the BCT. I was offered some part time work for them a little while back. The job was to build, paint, set up and run a hidden camera trial on road side fruit stalls selling fejioas at $3 dollars bag.
I set up four cameras on the fruit stall one looking up at the person's face, one looking down from a birds eye view, one mounted on a telephone pole to get a wide shot, and a camera on a tripod filming out the back window of my van.
It's was a long weekend. The trial ran for three days. Its was simply an honesty box trial with the idea being to test whether people would pay the correct amount for how much they took if they thought nobody was watching. My job was to write down the number plate of each person that stops to take fruit, then run out to the stall, count the remaining number of bags and the money that was in the honesty box to check whether they paid the correct amount.
Over the course of the three day trial it became quite obvious after selling over 220 bags of fruit that most people were honest and paid or attempted to pay the correct amount. However one standout 'Taker' was a young Maori woman with a car full of children pulling up on the wrong side of the road in a crashed and deregistered car, ripping the box open and stealing all the money along with a few bags of fruit..
After doing this job for many years I have come to the conclusion that it's not fear to judge people, no matter how unacceptable there actions may seem from your perspective. As I believe people reflect there environment.. the old nature vs nurture debate... I think we are all most entirely a result of our nurture and feel people will simply do whatever it takes to survive and many other weird things they are able to justify to themselves through a particular ingrained perspective they have developed...
The concept doesn't really allow for the possibility of 'sin' as no one is completely responsible for there own actions, our personalities and actions are interdependent.
I have worked for the company for over two years before deciding to go back to Uni to do the BCT. I was offered some part time work for them a little while back. The job was to build, paint, set up and run a hidden camera trial on road side fruit stalls selling fejioas at $3 dollars bag.
I set up four cameras on the fruit stall one looking up at the person's face, one looking down from a birds eye view, one mounted on a telephone pole to get a wide shot, and a camera on a tripod filming out the back window of my van.
It's was a long weekend. The trial ran for three days. Its was simply an honesty box trial with the idea being to test whether people would pay the correct amount for how much they took if they thought nobody was watching. My job was to write down the number plate of each person that stops to take fruit, then run out to the stall, count the remaining number of bags and the money that was in the honesty box to check whether they paid the correct amount.
Over the course of the three day trial it became quite obvious after selling over 220 bags of fruit that most people were honest and paid or attempted to pay the correct amount. However one standout 'Taker' was a young Maori woman with a car full of children pulling up on the wrong side of the road in a crashed and deregistered car, ripping the box open and stealing all the money along with a few bags of fruit..
After doing this job for many years I have come to the conclusion that it's not fear to judge people, no matter how unacceptable there actions may seem from your perspective. As I believe people reflect there environment.. the old nature vs nurture debate... I think we are all most entirely a result of our nurture and feel people will simply do whatever it takes to survive and many other weird things they are able to justify to themselves through a particular ingrained perspective they have developed...
The concept doesn't really allow for the possibility of 'sin' as no one is completely responsible for there own actions, our personalities and actions are interdependent.
Event Blog 5: For the Music
Another very good friend of mine 'Jacey' also decided that he would like to try his hand at putting on an event which he calls "For the Music". The concept being to gather up some of Aucklands most cutting edge Djs to play the latest music from all over the world with in the genres of Dubstep, Drum and Bass, Break Beat, Electro and Low Key Hip Hop.
The event is by no means as creative as Shift. However it has a different tangent, with a direct focus on the Music rather than the greater environmental experience. Jacey goes to a great effort to get the best sound rig possible, getting audio engineers into calibrate it to match the resonant frequencies of the venue space.. He, like myself is an audiophile, I am usually not very impressed with the audio setups in most of Auckland venues.. He tries to get the best sound quality possible with out being so loud that you go home with ringing ears, something that doesn't seem to be considered by many event producers who what it to be as loud as possible!!
JC is the only DJ I know who will walk out into the audience part way through his set to make sure that it still sounds right. Not to mention he is the Best DJ I know!! The creativity in his song choice and tight flawless style of mixing is second to non and has seen him quickly climb the ranks to one of New Zealands best Drum and Bass DJs.
I have been working with him for a few months now after I approached him and asked if he would be interested in doing a live AV set with me, where he DJs while I do a live edit of specifically chosen footage to match his track choice to create a more immersive experience for viewer/listener
Like myself, he agrees that there are not too many DJs which have a definitive concept behind the music they play. We wish to develop a set which has a specific message, portrayed via the lyrics that are in each song and how they interlink with the visuals to tell a story about the current state of the planet, the future, technology and human evolution. This is not a new concept by any stretch. However, due to be the type of music that he plays and the type footage I have it should be a very unique experience, leaving the audience with a lasting impression..
We still have a long way to go as far as finalizing.. as we are both very busy people but should have some solid work to show for ourselves in coming months.. It's been a long time in the making so I'm very excited to see it unleashed on a live audience! : )
The event is by no means as creative as Shift. However it has a different tangent, with a direct focus on the Music rather than the greater environmental experience. Jacey goes to a great effort to get the best sound rig possible, getting audio engineers into calibrate it to match the resonant frequencies of the venue space.. He, like myself is an audiophile, I am usually not very impressed with the audio setups in most of Auckland venues.. He tries to get the best sound quality possible with out being so loud that you go home with ringing ears, something that doesn't seem to be considered by many event producers who what it to be as loud as possible!!
JC is the only DJ I know who will walk out into the audience part way through his set to make sure that it still sounds right. Not to mention he is the Best DJ I know!! The creativity in his song choice and tight flawless style of mixing is second to non and has seen him quickly climb the ranks to one of New Zealands best Drum and Bass DJs.
I have been working with him for a few months now after I approached him and asked if he would be interested in doing a live AV set with me, where he DJs while I do a live edit of specifically chosen footage to match his track choice to create a more immersive experience for viewer/listener
Like myself, he agrees that there are not too many DJs which have a definitive concept behind the music they play. We wish to develop a set which has a specific message, portrayed via the lyrics that are in each song and how they interlink with the visuals to tell a story about the current state of the planet, the future, technology and human evolution. This is not a new concept by any stretch. However, due to be the type of music that he plays and the type footage I have it should be a very unique experience, leaving the audience with a lasting impression..
We still have a long way to go as far as finalizing.. as we are both very busy people but should have some solid work to show for ourselves in coming months.. It's been a long time in the making so I'm very excited to see it unleashed on a live audience! : )
Event Blog 4: My Life
I would like to ponder the definition of an event...
Well to be perfectly honest I have been so busy and stressed this year so far, not to mention broke because I don't have a job, that I'm going to review a section of my life as an event, as I haven't been out to any in ages!!
So in the interest of creativity I am going to define an event in the way that I see fit and write about my life over the last few months, as I need to get it off my chest any way so I can kill two birds with one stone. In order for me to critically and creatively analyze this section of my life in a way that makes sense to the reader I must first outline the circumstances under which these events took place... Sorry...
Right, now, where to start.. earlier this year I moved into a flat with my girlfriend, it was a great room as it used to be a lounge so absolutely huge (like three rooms combined), only cost us $75 dollars each per week... Super cheap, and close to town.. All seems perfect, but after a few months the other flats approached my partner and I and asked us to move out as they didn't feel that we fit in with the rest of the flatmates...
To be honest my girlfriend and I are quite intense people as we are very opinionated about anything and everything, and I could see that could be a bit hard to handle at times but at the same time we are the cleanest people in the house, all ways cleaning up after other people..
You are left with a weird feeling when a group of people openly reject you, you assume it must be something you have done.. Maybe your not a nice person.. maybe you aren't the person you think you are.. Maybe your personality is annoying..?? You start to question and doubt yourself..
So in the spirit of critical reflection my partner and I attempted to analyse the situation from a third person perspective, to try to understand why we were rejected by these people. Non of whom are bad people, but they are very "square" for lack of a better word (9 - 5 job, love sport, own a massive television and multiple gaming consoles.. and basically live a life of get up - go to work- get home - sit in front of the TV - go to bed - get up and do it again... loop .. loop ..loop !!!). Boring!
The out come of our lengthy discussion was that..We actually did nothing wrong, we were just too 'Radical' in our thinking and life styles that we simply didn't mesh.. this had not crossed our minds, as it was a complete surprise when they asked us to move out. However they had been talking amongst themselves for ages like immature children rather than confronting us... so they built something from nothing by there own ignorance.. once this illusion was mutually agreed upon they selfishly enforced there decision upon us regardless of our opinion..
Moving out in just over a week, Now we have no where to live.. Cooooool, NOT : (
Well to be perfectly honest I have been so busy and stressed this year so far, not to mention broke because I don't have a job, that I'm going to review a section of my life as an event, as I haven't been out to any in ages!!
So in the interest of creativity I am going to define an event in the way that I see fit and write about my life over the last few months, as I need to get it off my chest any way so I can kill two birds with one stone. In order for me to critically and creatively analyze this section of my life in a way that makes sense to the reader I must first outline the circumstances under which these events took place... Sorry...
Right, now, where to start.. earlier this year I moved into a flat with my girlfriend, it was a great room as it used to be a lounge so absolutely huge (like three rooms combined), only cost us $75 dollars each per week... Super cheap, and close to town.. All seems perfect, but after a few months the other flats approached my partner and I and asked us to move out as they didn't feel that we fit in with the rest of the flatmates...
To be honest my girlfriend and I are quite intense people as we are very opinionated about anything and everything, and I could see that could be a bit hard to handle at times but at the same time we are the cleanest people in the house, all ways cleaning up after other people..
You are left with a weird feeling when a group of people openly reject you, you assume it must be something you have done.. Maybe your not a nice person.. maybe you aren't the person you think you are.. Maybe your personality is annoying..?? You start to question and doubt yourself..
So in the spirit of critical reflection my partner and I attempted to analyse the situation from a third person perspective, to try to understand why we were rejected by these people. Non of whom are bad people, but they are very "square" for lack of a better word (9 - 5 job, love sport, own a massive television and multiple gaming consoles.. and basically live a life of get up - go to work- get home - sit in front of the TV - go to bed - get up and do it again... loop .. loop ..loop !!!). Boring!
The out come of our lengthy discussion was that..We actually did nothing wrong, we were just too 'Radical' in our thinking and life styles that we simply didn't mesh.. this had not crossed our minds, as it was a complete surprise when they asked us to move out. However they had been talking amongst themselves for ages like immature children rather than confronting us... so they built something from nothing by there own ignorance.. once this illusion was mutually agreed upon they selfishly enforced there decision upon us regardless of our opinion..
Moving out in just over a week, Now we have no where to live.. Cooooool, NOT : (
Event Blog 3: Guerilla Cinema
I feel that it's only fair that I can review my own event... : ) Once a week I put on a free documentary screening in Auckland City, it is completely illegal but I feel that this information needs to be shared with people. The only advertising I do is through my Facebook page called 'Guerilla Cinema'.
My aim is to get like minded people together, as I feel there are many things going on in the world around us that most people are not aware of.
For many years I've had a fascination with collecting documentaries, about anything you can possibly imagine, architecture, sustainability, eco housing, different methods of transportation, future technology, different religions and governments etc.. My collection has become cwazy large, I now have over 650 documentaries, most of which I have purchased myself.
I usually hold the screenings outside on a concrete wall on High Street (Auckland City), people bring couches, pillows, blankets and chairs to sit on, I gaffer up a white sheet on the side of the concrete wall, bring my projector, laptop and PA speakers, tap into some power from the nearby power box connected to the lighting around one of the trees ; ) Thanks Auckland City; and away we go!!
Using Facebook as my only point of connection to inform people about the screenings seems to be working very well, with an average turnout of at least 40 people per screening, and it always seem to be different people.
I was recently interviewed by an AUT University student doing a masters in journalism. He just asked what the motivation was for deciding to put these movies on for people in a public space. Considering that it is illegal to do so, as I do not have copyright permission for any of the material that I'm playing. . . My answer was simply that I am addicted to the rush I get from new information, another piece to the puzzle that is our crazy complex existence.. and I want to share that with other people..I hope that it's inspirational in some way. Holding it in a public setting puts the information into the realm of chance..the chance that a passer by will happen to hear a line or see and image that connects with their conciseness.. igniting a thought pattern they carry away with them into the night.. I dream of dominos.
My aim is to get like minded people together, as I feel there are many things going on in the world around us that most people are not aware of.
For many years I've had a fascination with collecting documentaries, about anything you can possibly imagine, architecture, sustainability, eco housing, different methods of transportation, future technology, different religions and governments etc.. My collection has become cwazy large, I now have over 650 documentaries, most of which I have purchased myself.
I usually hold the screenings outside on a concrete wall on High Street (Auckland City), people bring couches, pillows, blankets and chairs to sit on, I gaffer up a white sheet on the side of the concrete wall, bring my projector, laptop and PA speakers, tap into some power from the nearby power box connected to the lighting around one of the trees ; ) Thanks Auckland City; and away we go!!
Using Facebook as my only point of connection to inform people about the screenings seems to be working very well, with an average turnout of at least 40 people per screening, and it always seem to be different people.
I was recently interviewed by an AUT University student doing a masters in journalism. He just asked what the motivation was for deciding to put these movies on for people in a public space. Considering that it is illegal to do so, as I do not have copyright permission for any of the material that I'm playing. . . My answer was simply that I am addicted to the rush I get from new information, another piece to the puzzle that is our crazy complex existence.. and I want to share that with other people..I hope that it's inspirational in some way. Holding it in a public setting puts the information into the realm of chance..the chance that a passer by will happen to hear a line or see and image that connects with their conciseness.. igniting a thought pattern they carry away with them into the night.. I dream of dominos.
Event Blog 2: Avatar in 3D
I would first like to say, that I feel 3D is a gimmick!.. For now.. Auto-stereoscopic 3D (doesn't require the viewer to wear glasses) is a different story however..but I'll save that for another time. The current Polarized 3D standard created by the large media corporations, I feel, is mainly due to their fear that all media is moving towards the Internet and portable devices.. The cinema as an 'event' to go and see.. is slowly but obviously dying.
Avatar was the first movie that I went to see which uses the semi new Polarized 3-D technology that is being rushed in to our local cinemas.
As many people agree. It was not what you expected in comparison to the ancient Anaglyphic 3D which used two different colored lenses in order to create a 3D perspective where images seemed to come off the screen. As apposed to the new 3D which creates the illusion of depth into the screen.. in my opinion it also seems to have a better color range and richer reproduction of colors than normal 2D cinema.
I have personally done a considerable amount of research into 3D Tech over the last few years (as I desire to produce a 3D VJ set one day). In my research I found that anaglyphic 3D only works if you have a completely pitch black environment, as anything that can be seen between yourself and the screen destroys the 3D effect. Although it is possible to create the same extruding effect with Polarized 3D the media industry have purposefully chosen to not pursue this path. I believe this is due to the fact that it works in a 'controlled' cinema environment but would not work as well in a home environment. As they are now selling 3D TVs for your home and there is a 3D television station up in America as of the last few months, it makes sense to work with the most diverse option.
However, right now. Let's get back to my thoughts on the on the movie. Firstly it is visually stunning! The reviews that it has gotten around the world are completely justified in that respect. However as my qualification is in film I tend to analyze movies on a different level to the average viewer, I cannot help but break down what I see from an art department, CG, production, editing and over all audiovisual perspective... which in many ways ruins films for me...
So my experience was that the storyline was incredibly weak! but I enjoyed it nonetheless...I really do get sick of the constant American undertones of war and excessive military they cram into every film they produce. Many people that have reviewed the film state that the plot is a direct rip of the story of Pocahontas. I found it to be extremely predictable, following the general plot of the majority of action and adventure stories that Hollywood produces each year. Good looking girl, good looking guy, happy ending, guy saves girl blah blah.. in this case guy is saved by girl but basically the same formula is rinsed over and over and over.
I think considering the number of sequels that have been coming out in the last few years. It's pretty obvious that Hollywood is running out of original concepts! It seems to me and I could be wrong, but they must have an incredibly large vault of categorized scripts... So my assumption is that they purposely 'ration' their ideas....release only a sprinkle of good films each year and top off the rest with crap. Maybe?
Avatar was the first movie that I went to see which uses the semi new Polarized 3-D technology that is being rushed in to our local cinemas.
As many people agree. It was not what you expected in comparison to the ancient Anaglyphic 3D which used two different colored lenses in order to create a 3D perspective where images seemed to come off the screen. As apposed to the new 3D which creates the illusion of depth into the screen.. in my opinion it also seems to have a better color range and richer reproduction of colors than normal 2D cinema.
I have personally done a considerable amount of research into 3D Tech over the last few years (as I desire to produce a 3D VJ set one day). In my research I found that anaglyphic 3D only works if you have a completely pitch black environment, as anything that can be seen between yourself and the screen destroys the 3D effect. Although it is possible to create the same extruding effect with Polarized 3D the media industry have purposefully chosen to not pursue this path. I believe this is due to the fact that it works in a 'controlled' cinema environment but would not work as well in a home environment. As they are now selling 3D TVs for your home and there is a 3D television station up in America as of the last few months, it makes sense to work with the most diverse option.
However, right now. Let's get back to my thoughts on the on the movie. Firstly it is visually stunning! The reviews that it has gotten around the world are completely justified in that respect. However as my qualification is in film I tend to analyze movies on a different level to the average viewer, I cannot help but break down what I see from an art department, CG, production, editing and over all audiovisual perspective... which in many ways ruins films for me...
So my experience was that the storyline was incredibly weak! but I enjoyed it nonetheless...I really do get sick of the constant American undertones of war and excessive military they cram into every film they produce. Many people that have reviewed the film state that the plot is a direct rip of the story of Pocahontas. I found it to be extremely predictable, following the general plot of the majority of action and adventure stories that Hollywood produces each year. Good looking girl, good looking guy, happy ending, guy saves girl blah blah.. in this case guy is saved by girl but basically the same formula is rinsed over and over and over.
I think considering the number of sequels that have been coming out in the last few years. It's pretty obvious that Hollywood is running out of original concepts! It seems to me and I could be wrong, but they must have an incredibly large vault of categorized scripts... So my assumption is that they purposely 'ration' their ideas....release only a sprinkle of good films each year and top off the rest with crap. Maybe?
Event Blog 1: Shift.. Event
'Shift' - is a night gig (event) put on by some close friends of mine.
..We have always felt that Auckland night life was missing something, that there was still an untapped market in Aucklands clubbing scene. Thus began the origins of a concept to create a new style, arts, digital, multi genre, festival, mash up.... Two of my friends, Gilard and Craig, after months of weighting pros and cons, gaining contacts and growing the idea they decided to get serious and have a go at putting on event which they catchily name - 'Shift' (Shift your experience).
The intent was to create an event which comprises of the elements that make a clubbing environment enjoyable, mix it with the emotion of a large festival, add a dash of laxy house party and tie it all together with diverse artistic performances. The first few events they put on were illegal underground gigs at factories and public parks outside but close to Auckland city.
They are the kind of people that have a large group of friends so the parties became successful with an average of 400 to 500 people attending each time.
Fast forward two years to the present day and they have become quite successful. However they have built this concept off the back of there friends, which help them set up the event each time at no charge. Wonderful people they are!!!
Now, Last nights event was the most successful to date with over 1400 people (Venues Max) attending at 'Studio' on K Rd in Auckland city centre. I have personally helped out at 10 events so far (this one being the tenth) setting up before the event as well as packing down in the wee tired hours of the morning..
The event is separated into multiple areas which have different settings, the main room which is large enough to fit 500 People. Decorated in odd pieces of art gathered by my girlfriend and I over the last few years from working in art department for film and television.... then there are many side rooms with Quality-cutting edge-Djs playing different genres of music, artistic areas where you can paint on the walls. Many different artists perform, digital artists doing live renderings in Photoshop on projectors, gaming rooms with every type of gaming console and game you might want to play, areas set up to look like a typical flatting environment to create the feel of a house party and much much more..
..oh Not to mention the VJs or 'Visual Jockey's' of which I am one myself, I have preformed at most of the events they have put on so far. I basically just do a live edit of footage that I believe is important for people to see.. Such as the state of planet, future technology, architectural designs etc. I pretty much completely ignore global copyright laws, but I do purchase all the DVDs that I use (don't download any of them). Mainly documentary footage as that is my largest collection.
As far a reviewing the event.. I think my explanation and the street long door lines they are becoming infamous for speaks for it self. Its progressive and it evolves over time to get better..!! Well impressive!
..We have always felt that Auckland night life was missing something, that there was still an untapped market in Aucklands clubbing scene. Thus began the origins of a concept to create a new style, arts, digital, multi genre, festival, mash up.... Two of my friends, Gilard and Craig, after months of weighting pros and cons, gaining contacts and growing the idea they decided to get serious and have a go at putting on event which they catchily name - 'Shift' (Shift your experience).
The intent was to create an event which comprises of the elements that make a clubbing environment enjoyable, mix it with the emotion of a large festival, add a dash of laxy house party and tie it all together with diverse artistic performances. The first few events they put on were illegal underground gigs at factories and public parks outside but close to Auckland city.
They are the kind of people that have a large group of friends so the parties became successful with an average of 400 to 500 people attending each time.
Fast forward two years to the present day and they have become quite successful. However they have built this concept off the back of there friends, which help them set up the event each time at no charge. Wonderful people they are!!!
Now, Last nights event was the most successful to date with over 1400 people (Venues Max) attending at 'Studio' on K Rd in Auckland city centre. I have personally helped out at 10 events so far (this one being the tenth) setting up before the event as well as packing down in the wee tired hours of the morning..
The event is separated into multiple areas which have different settings, the main room which is large enough to fit 500 People. Decorated in odd pieces of art gathered by my girlfriend and I over the last few years from working in art department for film and television.... then there are many side rooms with Quality-cutting edge-Djs playing different genres of music, artistic areas where you can paint on the walls. Many different artists perform, digital artists doing live renderings in Photoshop on projectors, gaming rooms with every type of gaming console and game you might want to play, areas set up to look like a typical flatting environment to create the feel of a house party and much much more..
..oh Not to mention the VJs or 'Visual Jockey's' of which I am one myself, I have preformed at most of the events they have put on so far. I basically just do a live edit of footage that I believe is important for people to see.. Such as the state of planet, future technology, architectural designs etc. I pretty much completely ignore global copyright laws, but I do purchase all the DVDs that I use (don't download any of them). Mainly documentary footage as that is my largest collection.
As far a reviewing the event.. I think my explanation and the street long door lines they are becoming infamous for speaks for it self. Its progressive and it evolves over time to get better..!! Well impressive!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Project Two | Exercise Two | Ani-Remote
Today we started working with a new software called MaxMSP, a graphic programming software that can be used to write programs for virtually any purpose, our new micro project for this evening is to create a more detailed and advanced animation using animate.. then modfy a patch for MaxMSP that was given to use by james which allows uses to control the movements of our animation via an apple remote..
more to write shortly
more to write shortly
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Project Two | Exercise One | Animata
Today we learnt how to uses a new open source real-time animation software called Animata. I think there is an advantage to not having a received my macbook pro yet.. It seems that because I was not trying to follow along 'live' with what james was showing us but rather just listening, watching and taking notes on my iphone, I actually took in more information than the others.. as afterward I walked around and taught about 10 people how to use it (as they were to busy trying to do it and missed things that he said).. even though I hadn't used it myself..... I will continue to test this theory as I think it is pretty solid..
Any waaayyyy.. MORE TO WRITE SHORTLY
Any waaayyyy.. MORE TO WRITE SHORTLY
Monday, March 22, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Intro to Creative Technologies | Lecture Two
tooooo be written.... I have notes on my iphone that i need to transfer into here
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Lego Mindstorm NXT - The Assassin | Development
Character Bot:
Next step.. make a robot that will makes its way from the front door,down the hall to the BCT office and knock on the door.. or ask pat a question...
We could now design and program the robot anyway we wanted.
complete the course but do it in a way that is consistent with your chess pieces character..
'We are after an elegant solution'
After winning the previous challenge we were pretty excited to start this one.. Our initial concept once given the brief was to
Below are the pictures of our finished bot.
Next step.. make a robot that will makes its way from the front door,down the hall to the BCT office and knock on the door.. or ask pat a question...
We could now design and program the robot anyway we wanted.
complete the course but do it in a way that is consistent with your chess pieces character..
'We are after an elegant solution'
After winning the previous challenge we were pretty excited to start this one.. Our initial concept once given the brief was to
Below are the pictures of our finished bot.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Project One | Exercise One | Lego Mindstorm NXT | The Assassin
Today we started our first Project for the year, we got to play with Toys (rated 10+), Lego Mindstorm NXT as I suspected.. after a few minutes of playing all I had to say was, 'Wow! I wanna see the 10 year old child that can use this'.. the level on construction required was of medium complexity but the programing took a good while to get my head around.Step One:
My team of four.. Zoe, Leo, Oli and I created a new chess piece character we dubbed 'The Assassin'. We were originally thinking along the lines of spy or ninja, but decided that an Assassin was more logically in keeping with the royal formalness of chess. The Assassin is simple (minimalist) and immaculate in appearance, fast and accurate in action, cold, leaving no room for mistake in his purpose; and execution of orders (protocols). The Protocol we developed for our character.. after much serious debate regarding a functional strategy that would set it apart, yet be new and legitimate, developing upon the games current rules; we all agreed on this: The Assassin can only move Diagonally (symbolizing back allys as opposed to streets which I think lean more toward right angles - usual grid pattern of roads), he moves three new spaces per move and must turn twice (allowing for incredable flexibly of movement - 12 possible finishing points, which we felt linked the sneaky and striking notions that acompany our characters persona). Below is the Diagram we created to visually convey the movements of 'The Assassin':
Step Two:
after designing our caracter the prject was expanded.. we know ad to build a robot
Monday, March 8, 2010
Intro to Creative Technologies | Lecture One
tooooo be written.... I have notes from the lecture on my iPhone which I still need to copy into here
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Situational Shuffle
The Situational Shuffle was today's Micro Project.. Working as an expansion on our introduction to Data Visualization over the last couple of days, while it seems; is simultaneously setting up the transition to our next project - Robotics? my assumption is based on the fact that each member of our 4 person team was assigned a job acting as parts of a machine, actuator, controller, sensor etc.. which I assume will be using the Lego Mindstorm NXT..
Reflective Statement:
My assumption was that each person in the group was meant to represent parts of a machine, to start teaching us the basic concepts of interdependent systems working in unicin to complete a singular task, which could not be completed without all parts. However our team machine was like no machine that has come before, as we all had a little go at each others rolls over the course of the exercise. As directed by James we set out with a desire to push the boundaries, which definitely lead us into situations we would normally never have experienced… following random people, one woman in particular into an elevator and up to the secured level of a building where we were denied entrance. We were also harassed by two men claiming to work for the Auckland city council who threatened us, grabbing a female team member by the arm to stop here taking photos. Over all it was extremely enjoyable and I look forward to discussing everyone else’s to come to an better understanding of the wider meaning of the exercise.
Reflective Statement:My assumption was that each person in the group was meant to represent parts of a machine, to start teaching us the basic concepts of interdependent systems working in unicin to complete a singular task, which could not be completed without all parts. However our team machine was like no machine that has come before, as we all had a little go at each others rolls over the course of the exercise. As directed by James we set out with a desire to push the boundaries, which definitely lead us into situations we would normally never have experienced… following random people, one woman in particular into an elevator and up to the secured level of a building where we were denied entrance. We were also harassed by two men claiming to work for the Auckland city council who threatened us, grabbing a female team member by the arm to stop here taking photos. Over all it was extremely enjoyable and I look forward to discussing everyone else’s to come to an better understanding of the wider meaning of the exercise.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
...Random Thought...
Just sat down and watched a few minutes of television... something I never ever do... have you ever noticed how the media in all its forms often normalizes the inherent dysfunctionality of families and society as a whole?
The direct and indirect indoctrination most media outlets perpetuate through stereo typing basically maintains the status quote. Think about American television shows in particular.. Most High School related shows enforce and normalize the concept of segregation; races, classes, ethnic groups, religions and groups such as jocks, geeks, and cool kids. When a young generation grows up with a face glued to television, crafting there reality and aligning it with something so destructive, how can we ever expect to evolve into a civilized world.
SIDE NOTE:
When a corporations base incentive is Profit over and above whats best for the Planet and secondly the Consumer; it is easy to see how as technology naturally evolves global employment rates will plummet as machines become cheap enough to replace humans in most jobs. It is always a better business decision to use a machine as they don't get tired, lazy, can work 24/7 with out breaks, do not require benefits and are not part of a demanding labor union. If people lose there jobs they cannot fulfil there 'role' as a consumer, forever weakening so called economic growth. Thus technology will always be paralysed for the sake of maintaining this dysfunctional system.
Now if that doesn't cause an economic collapse how about the SIMPLE fact that we live on a finite planet of which we are exponential destroying itS resources with out regulation, to accommodate the over population, yet we use an economic system which demands infinite growth... let alone the fact that our incredibly large population is dependant on one main thing for survival... Energy.. more directly cheap non-renewable oil. If you look at the graph below you can see the relationship between our energy consumption and growth over time. MOST of that energy is oil based.. agriculture on a global scale is almost completely dependent on cheap oil.. according to OPEC we hit peak oil production in July 2008. Petrol prices will skyrocket to lower demand and we will reach a tipping point....
Yet I have faith that we will Eventually see the design flaws in our economy and the redesign of our world in a holistically integrated way will be undertaken through a process of global unity; this will be the beginning of the civilized world. However it will likely get much worse before it gets better.. the recession has only just begun.. when the American stock market crashed on October 9 1929 it wasn't till 1933 that the depression really struck.. What goes up must come Down.
Research 'COG' - Continuity of Government
I call it Political Redundancy...
Hey, I could all ways be wrong... regardless, the subject is undeniably worthy of YOUR OWN PERSONAL RESEARCH : ) The ball is in your court
The direct and indirect indoctrination most media outlets perpetuate through stereo typing basically maintains the status quote. Think about American television shows in particular.. Most High School related shows enforce and normalize the concept of segregation; races, classes, ethnic groups, religions and groups such as jocks, geeks, and cool kids. When a young generation grows up with a face glued to television, crafting there reality and aligning it with something so destructive, how can we ever expect to evolve into a civilized world.
SIDE NOTE:
When a corporations base incentive is Profit over and above whats best for the Planet and secondly the Consumer; it is easy to see how as technology naturally evolves global employment rates will plummet as machines become cheap enough to replace humans in most jobs. It is always a better business decision to use a machine as they don't get tired, lazy, can work 24/7 with out breaks, do not require benefits and are not part of a demanding labor union. If people lose there jobs they cannot fulfil there 'role' as a consumer, forever weakening so called economic growth. Thus technology will always be paralysed for the sake of maintaining this dysfunctional system.
Now if that doesn't cause an economic collapse how about the SIMPLE fact that we live on a finite planet of which we are exponential destroying itS resources with out regulation, to accommodate the over population, yet we use an economic system which demands infinite growth... let alone the fact that our incredibly large population is dependant on one main thing for survival... Energy.. more directly cheap non-renewable oil. If you look at the graph below you can see the relationship between our energy consumption and growth over time. MOST of that energy is oil based.. agriculture on a global scale is almost completely dependent on cheap oil.. according to OPEC we hit peak oil production in July 2008. Petrol prices will skyrocket to lower demand and we will reach a tipping point....
Yet I have faith that we will Eventually see the design flaws in our economy and the redesign of our world in a holistically integrated way will be undertaken through a process of global unity; this will be the beginning of the civilized world. However it will likely get much worse before it gets better.. the recession has only just begun.. when the American stock market crashed on October 9 1929 it wasn't till 1933 that the depression really struck.. What goes up must come Down.
Research 'COG' - Continuity of Government
I call it Political Redundancy...
Hey, I could all ways be wrong... regardless, the subject is undeniably worthy of YOUR OWN PERSONAL RESEARCH : ) The ball is in your court
AUT Bachalor of Creative Technologies - Day Two
Today we did a social networking exercise. We answered a series of simple socially loose questions about our lives, then using the studio wall, some postick notes, drawing pins and pieces of coloured wool we mapped the similarities and links within our group (above photo). Once this was complete numbers were assigned to peoples names, the connecting threads of wool and each set of linked answers.. this data was then recorded and arranged to create a .net file for use with a graph creation software called Gephi(Gephi.org). The image below is a screen shot from the software of my completed graph. The size and color of each dot indicates the number of connections (to create an addition element of visual information). Simple, free software. Highly recommended.
I choose to arrange the graph with the members of my group in numerical order in a line down the centre, with the two alternative answers symmetrically on ether side of the line. Additionally the answers on the left have a higher number of links than the answers on the right.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Ctrl Z - March 4th - Visuals by VJ Th!nk (me)
Drop your ass down to The Carpark this Thursday Night and rip off the floorboards for _Ctrl Z_ !FREE!, Ill be mashing pixels up in a fruity cocktail of HI-RES Earthscape Timelapse Shots, Insects and Archetecture, Alice in Wonderland and Pictoplasmic Artworks. A feast for ye eyeballs.. be there or be a squarewave.
Guerilla Cinema - Free Public Documentary Screenings in Auckland
Guerilla Cinema is a Weekly Free Documentary Night in or around the Auckland CBD. A friend and I decided we needed to bring to light the true depths of corruption in modern society. So we decided to whip out the Projector, Laptop and Speakers to screen Informative and Socially Educational Documentaries in obscure locations such as on city street walls, parks and other public places for everyone to enjoy. Be entertained while being informed. Ignorance is deadly.
This is not for profit, this is for the education and freedom of human beings. Please support.
Just bring a chair or a mat to sit on and an open mind. Come watch, learn and be entertained. Please remember though that these screening are in public and thus public laws and liquor bans will still be enforced : )
Knowledge is Power
NEXT EVENT:
BEST OF TED TALKS - FREE SCREENING
- http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=317597515381&ref=mf
Jill Bolte Taylor's stroke of insight
Jill Bolte Taylor got a research opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: She had a massive stroke, and watched as her brain functions -- motion, speech, self-awareness -- shut down one by one. An astonishing story.
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html
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