Moodboard

I have created a mood board with some notes of the things that stick out the most for all three formats within the mystery genre. I had to open up the criteria for the online format because there are not enough title sequences for that format in general and only one that I could find for the mystery/horror genre.

Collecting Criteria

I have made a mind map from the information the case studies have delivered about production values of distribution formats and the design conventions of the most common genres.

What I found out was that there are too many logo reveals, especially for the mystery genre in the US, the Saul Bass style and the youthful/hip/gritty style is overused in the UK and there are not enough striking opening titles online. Which is why I want to create title sequences for my final piece that break these moulds but are still appropriate to the production values & genre. I am not trying to create something completely new but emphasise the good designs that are present in each format rather than create another one of the overdone ones.

Updated Learning Contract and Gantt Chart

I have updated my learning contract and gantt chart, link below:

Learning Contract

Gantt Chart

I am getting a bit worried that I am cutting it a bit close with finishing my final piece and reviewing it for my dissertation. Because my media testing has been prolonged for a month longer than I originally planned, all other tasks has been pushed further out. I hope that I will be able to finish everything in time, however I will have to talk that over with my supervisor.

Pitch Presentation

Proposal Documents

Here is the proposal for Colin's module: Proposal

These are the additional documents I am attaching in the appendix:

Gantt Chart

Project Map

All Documents for Professional Practice

I have prepared all my documents for submission for Professional Practice. They can be viewed under the links below.

Project Proposal PDF

Learning Contract PDF

Gantt Chart PDF

Group Presentation File PDF

500 Word Report

Project Map

Gantt Chart & Project Proposal

Here is an edit and updated project proposal and gantt chart. The proposal is still not finished, the abstract needs shortening and the rationale is not written yet. I also need to send it for review as I'm not sure if this is what it's supposed to look like. I have edited the gantt chart to allow more time for media tests. Although it looks like I'm doing an awful lot in the first semester, it actually has to be that way as I am doing some of the task at the same time or intermittently. which means they have to run parallel to each other. I have still got enough time for producing the final piece in semester 2 and write my dissertation, so I'm quite happy with the time I have scheduled for my tasks.

Gantt Chart PDF

Project Proposal PDF

Gantt Chart

Gantt Chart PDF

(6.1) Aim, Objectives, Methods, Tasks and Deliverables

Aim and Objectives:

The aim of this project is to investigate how design constraints dictate the visual style of title sequences in response to production values across formats, and to develop and evaluate an original piece of media.

The objectives are as follows:

1. Review and evaluate how different production values are responded to across a range of formats to achieve an appropriate quality standard.  
2. Evaluate and discuss the design constraints that establish the context of a show and how they dictate the use of motion graphics. 
3. Develop a series of media tests to experiment with title sequence production in response to production values across a variety of formats and design constraints. 
4. Create and critically evaluate final piece within context of wider research.

Methods and Tasks:

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Deliverables:

1.1 Research Diary and Literature Review

• Digital Diary/Blog documenting research activities undertaken and reviews written for Objective 1.0 

2.1 Case Studies

• Deconstruction, identification and discussion of cases 

2.2 Research Diary

• Digital Diary/Blog documenting discussion of research 

3.1 Media Tests

• Logo Designs 
• Indents 
• Title sequence experiments in After Effects 
• Video files of all media tests 
• Documentation detailing the content and reflection on practice for each of the media tests and animations 

4.1 Practice

• Show briefs for 3 formats 
• Storyboards for title sequences 
• Title Designs 
• After Effects files 
• Audio 
• Final render of title sequences 
• Documentation of critical evaluation and reflection on practice within context of research

6th Aim and Objectives

Project Aim:

To investigate how design constraints dictate the visual style of title sequences in response to production values across formats.

1. Review and evaluate how different production values are responded to across a range of formats to achieve an appropriate quality standard.
2. Evaluate and discuss the design contraints that establish a context of a show and how they dictate the use of motion graphics.
3. Develop a series of media tests to experiment with title sequence production in response to production values across a variety of formats and design constraints.
4. Create and critically evaluate final piece within context of wider research.

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5th Aim, Objective, Methods and Tasks

Project Aim: 

To investigate how title sequences in relation to presentation and structure are used to capture and convery the story and theme of a show, and to develop and evaluate an original piece of media.

1. Review and evaluate how different production values are responded to, to maintain a high quality for title sequences.
2. Investigate how design contraints can establish a context of a show and examine how design constraints dictate the use of motion graphics.
3.  Develop a series of media tests to experiment with title sequence production in response to various production values with an awareness of design constraint.
4. Create and critically evaluate and discuss final piece within context of wider research.

-this will change very soon again.

The Methods and Tasks are as detailed on the project map below:

Click to enlarge

Some suggestions I received for methods that I haven't titled yet are:

1.1 Literature Review
2.1 Interview - this I would only do if it was the only method in the series as it's a big task.
2.2 (or 2.1) Critical Analysis
3.1 Media Tests
4.1 Practice and Reflection

Project Proposal (unfinished)

This is my project proposal so far. I have still got to fill in some gaps, including methodology, abstracts, outcomes and deliverables, which will become clear as soon as I have done my project map and started writing my lit review.

Project Proposal (1) PDF

AG1064A: Professional Practice – Project Proposal 

Project Title:	An investigation of the Role of Branding and Motion Graphics Implementation in the Production of Title Sequences.
Proposer:	Sonja Geracsek
Student Number:	0805063
Programme:	Computer Arts
Specialism(s):	2D Motion Graphics Design, Film/TV Production, Editing, Logo Design, Typography

Project Description

The total project proposal, including the Abstract, should not exceed 2,500 words. Please read the Project Proposal Guidelines and Project Proposal Example in the Learning Resources before writing your own proposal.

1. Abstract (Approx 250 words)

2. Project Aim and Objectives

The aim of this project is to investigate how title sequences in relation to presentation and structure are used to capture and convey the story and theme of a show, and to develop and evaluate an original piece of media. The objectives are as follows: 1.0      Review and evaluate how different production values are responded to, to maintain a high quality for title sequences. 2.0      Investigate how various constraints impact on branding of a show and what role motion graphics play in that. 3.0      Develop a series of media tests to experiment with title sequence production in response to various production values with an awareness of show branding. 4.0             Critically evaluate and discuss final piece within context of wider research.

3. Rationale

4. Project Methodology

5. Outcomes and Deliverables

6. Expertise and Experience of Project Proposer

The project proposer has approximately 3 years experience working with the Adobe Creative Suite and the Final Cut Studio package. In particular, the proposer has a thorough understanding of 2D graphics creation, filming and video editing. Previously the proposer completed short films, intro sequences and animations as part of university coursework as well as for external projects. However, it has been identified that the proposed will require more in-depth knowledge of post-production pipelines and motion graphics design and creation techniques for Adobe After Effects. As such, as part of the project, the proposer shall aim to develop skills in these areas. This work shall be carried out predominantly in semester 1, in preparation for the honours project module in semester 2. Additionally, it has been identified that the proposer currently has a limited knowledge and understanding of branding and logo design. As such, it is crucial that the proposer engages with literature in typography, logo design, title sequence creation and production values early in semester 1. This will feed into the literature review and the dissertation as well as underpin good animation practice.

7. Timetable

8. Ethics and Risk Assessment

There will be no participants in this study besides the project proposer. The proposed shall work primarily in the studio, and will not encounter any substantial risks to health or safety in the execution of the project. There is the potential that failure to complete all specified art assets and gaining sufficient knowledge of the resources in time could impact on the completion of the media piece. As such, a backup plan will be … Furthermore, in case of inaccessibility of PCs/iMacs and required software the backup plan involves securing funds to acquire own desktops and installing trial versions of resource software mentioned in part 9. Resources.

9. Resources

The following resources will be required in order to accomplish the proposed project: Adobe After Effects Adobe Illustrator Final Cut Pro/Premier Pro Sound Designer for recording and soundtrack creation Access to iMacs for editing time and motion graphics creation

10. References

New Mind map and 4th Aim and Objectives

After re-evaluating my project I created a new mind map to jot down all the new ideas and areas that are linked to the project. What I filtered out of that is that branding is influenced by most constraints that define a show. These constraints include target audience, story, theme/genre and production value, which in turn influence the style of the title sequence. I couldn't think of more than these things, so the mind map is quite small but if nothing else I realised that branding is a big part of my research together with production values. That is why I rephrased my aim and objectives accordingly.

click to enlarge

Project Aim:

To investigate how title sequences in relation to presentation and structure are used to capture and convery the story and theme of a show, and to develop and evaluate an original piece of media.

• 1.0 Review and evaluate how different production values are responded to, to maintain a high quality for title sequences.
• 2.0 Investigate how various contraints impact on branding of a show and what role motion graphics play in that.
• 3.0 Develop a series of media tests to experiment with title sequence production in response to various production values with an awareness of show branding.
• 4.0 Critically evaluate and discuss final piece within context of wider research.

(re-written - the rest has stayed the same)

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New Aim and Objectives

Aim

To investigate how title sequences in relation to presentation and structure are used to capture and convey the story and theme of a show and to develop and evaluate an original piece of media

1. Review and evaluate different formats across multiple platforms and discuss and compare title sequence execution.

2. Investigate how story and theme of a show impacts on branding and what role motion graphics play in that.

3. Develop a series of tests to create an immersive video piece.

4. Critically evaluate and discuss final product within the context of wider research.

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Personal Statement

View PDF

AG1064A: Professional Practice – Personal Statement

Proposer:	Sonja Geracsek
Student Number:	0805063
Programme:	Computer Arts
Specialism(s):	Video production, editing and motion graphics

Personal Statement

I want to create a web-series upon the research undertaken in media convergence in particular how online distribution has effected TV production and audience attraction. I would also like to include 2D/2.5D Motion Graphics in this product to not only produce a portfolio piece in that department, as that is the career path I would like to follow after graduation, but also to investigate how motion graphics impacts on branding (i.e. through an intro) and making a show more interesting to the audience.

Inspiration and Interests

Live action film & TV is where my main interests lie, this is mingled with an interest in VFX, in particular motion graphics. The work created by Passion Pictures and the MGFX Studio at Rushes is what inspires me the most. That is where I want to be in later life and that is why I would like to showcase my understanding of media distribution and the trend of media convergence through my web piece but also my artistic skill in motion graphics and how it interweaves with video products.

Career and Creative Aims

I would like to be a motion graphics artist in the VFX department of a company such as MPC, Passion Pictures or Rushes.

Current Skills and Abilities

Film production & direction, editing in Premier Pro and Final Cut Pro, basics of motion graphics & title/credits creation in Motion, 3D architectural modelling (Maya), Vector art (Illustrator), Image editing (Photoshop)

Skill Gaps

Higher understanding of filming and shot framing, learn After Effects for motion graphics creation, learn how to make a successful tv show/youtube channel

Aim & Objectives

Aim
To investigate how media convergence in relation to presentation and structure is used to create successful shows to capture and retain an audience, and to develop and evaluate an original piece of online media.

Objectives

• Review and evaluate traditional TV models and discuss and compare online implementations
• Investigate how branding and motion graphics impact on audience attraction and building of a community
• Develop and create an immersive video piece containing motion graphics to create an online presence
• Critically evaluate and discuss final piece within context of wider research

click on image to enlarge

Developing an Aim and Objectives

I want to create a webseries that's either story-based or more likely informative. Kind of a youtube channel type thing. I would like it to be on it's own domain like a website, but it's more likely to be on youtube on it's own channel. I would either like to educate people what I am researching myself for my dissertation, which is media convergence or I might talk about motion graphics, which is what I want to do as a career. I also want to include motion graphics in my piece so that by the end of this year I will have a viable portfolio piece to show to prospective employers. I don't however want to investigate motion graphics creation or the industry as I am very passionate about the subject of media convergence. That is where the TV industry is going and more and more shows are combined with an online presence or are solely produced for the web. As I am going in to a (film and) TV industry, this will be vital knowledge to further my skillset.

These are the rough aim and objectives I have been writing and rewriting:

Original
Aim
To investigate how media convergence in relation to audience attraction is used to create successful shows and to develop adapted methodologies to enhance the effectiveness of original designs.

1. Objective
Review and evaluate traditional TV models and online implementations

2. Objective
Investigate how branding impacts on audience attraction and creating of a community, involving motion graphics

Re-write
Aim
To investigate how media convergence in relation to audience attraction presentation and structure is used to create successful shows with adapted audience attraction methodologies and to develop adapted methodologies to a piece of enhanced the effectiveness to that of original designs.

1. Objective
Review and evaluate traditional TV models and discuss and compare online implementations

2. Objective
Investigate how branding impacts on audience attraction and creating building of a community, involving motion graphics

3. Objective
Develop and create an immersive video piece containing motion graphics to create an online presence

4. Objective
Evaluate and discuss final piece upon undergone research and determine the effectiveness of applied audience attraction methodologies

(added, eliminated)

What inspires ... you? - Group mind map

Mind Map

This mind map incorporates all of the ideas I have for my honours project. It includes research subjects I would like to investigate for my dissertation like "Audience Attraction" and "Media convergence" but also the practical side of the Project, which is creating a webseries. This will either be a youtube channel style series or a story based series mainly distributed to a website (but most likely also youtube). I will want to focus on motion graphics for the practical side of the project, as that is my passion and I am aiming to work in the visual effects department of a post production company after graduation and would therefore like to produce a strong portfolio piece I could present future employers.

Click on the image to view it in higher quality