Sound Design

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twS9UtJaw7s

In Saving Private Ryan, the film is one of the most realistic World War II stories audiences have to experience. Sounds from the film audiences are listening to in “Listening Mode” are all very casual, and realistic. Many of the sounds may have been prerecorded of the actual gunfire, or engine roaring to be as close to representing the sound as it really sounds. Representation of the space the scene is taking place is established by echoing noises from the battle. Where ever the camera focuses on, such as the solider being shot, rolling, and falling in the water. The splash sound is more noticeable, than the background audio to direct the audience’s attention.

In this action scene, bullets are constantly flying by the camera, the subject, and sound comes into play to simulate this for the audience. Gunfire is heard from a distance if off screen or on screen. As the bullets fly by, the distance of an object is changing with sound, known as Proximity and Similarity. As a bullet flies past certain proximity, the pitch is increased. As the planes fly overhead, illusion of where the sound is coming from is created. The engines have a soft low tone, then as they fly in closer, sound is less soft and louder.

Finding Your Howl

Issue 51 - 01 | Finding Your Howl
By Jonathon Flaum 

http://changethis.com/manifesto/51.01.YourHowl/pdf/51.01.YourHowl.pdf 

Flaum tells a story from 5^th grade on a paper his class has to write. A boy comes up with a story about a tiger attempting to escape a cage at the zoo. After time the tiger gains the skill and knowledge to escape, the tiger eventually gets out. Only for the tiger finds himself in another cage, back to step one. The message or lesson of the story is to show how no matter how hard we try to escape our problems or fears we can end up right back to dealing with them again until we learn to take a step back and become aware of the obstacle and ourselves.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Favorite quote:

Dream as you live forever live as if you die today – by James Dean

My favorite quote, which inspires me as a creative person, I originally heard from my favorite athlete Eddie Wall. In an interview in a magazine he quotes “Dream as you live forever, live as if you die tomorrow”. After some research I found this quote was originally from James Dean. He said “Dream as you live forever. Live as if you die today.”

Hearing this motivates me more than another group of words together anyone has ever said for motivation. This quote reminds me to dream big, and work hard for your goals. Never limit ourselves to do less than what we think we can achieve. In our lives nothing is out of reach. If we dream like we live forever, stay open minded, and work hard for our goals, we can meet great expectations, if not greater. These words tell us to never fear to fail. It’s always better to fail reaching for our goals, than achieving or succeeding for something we never wanted in the first place.

Some of us might think we will live forever, and have plenty of time to do what we like, but if we believe this everyday, before you know it, your time is up. Live everyday like it is your last. Don’t let life pass you by, get up and do something worth the time we have. All of these messages are being sent by Dean’s quote. Life is short, go in the direction of your dreams, live the way we imagined. We can dream without limits, we should be proactive and get out there to accomplish what we inspire to become or do. It is in our hands to make life what we want it to be.

As a creator, student, and creative person this quote motivates me for perfection. When my work is finished, I never like to look back and wish I had done something else to make it better. Not being perfect though, it still happens. Living life, and working for perfection is always a good goal to have. Working to not half attempt what we work for or on is never a way to go about things.

Many of us can relate to the quote in our lives. Sometimes we may not realize how important sometimes time is, and then they could be gone soon, with time wasted. We might put off a time of a lifetime we could have had to the next year, or longer, or eventually never. Again life is short, we should always try to take what time we have and make the best of it instead of thinking we are too busy all the time, or have more time in the future. Staying on top of your work, responsibilities, and your goals in life.

In the end of my life, whether expected or not. I hope to work so I don’t have a list of things I say I should or wished I could have done. James Dean ironically died before he knew his life was at an end in a car accident.

 

Deconstructing Characters

For the antagonist character:  Dr. Cavity is an evil dentist composed of green and red. His skin is green to resemble a sinister, uncomfortable, rotten theme or feeling. The triangular shape has many meanings, in this case the triangular shape to his head and body represents a sinister, trickster type character. Tri meaning three also gives him many meanings or elements, such as being inviting to children, full of color and detail, but also very obsessed and crooked for being a dentist. After drawing him out, I realized how much he resembles the famous antagonist from Batman: the Joker which is a similar character as a mad man. 

        The dentist tool was chosen not only because the antagonist is a dentist and uses the tool in his work, but also because of the shape and style the tool is. The long skinny pick, relates to the characters body, but also deceiving on how much harm the tool can actually cause. The end of the pick may seem harmless, but can be lethal if used right. Like Dr. Cavity who may seem to clean teeth, he is really out to take your teeth, and an every day visit to the dentist could turn out to be deceivingly painful.

             The blood in the character represents his obsession for teeth. Red represent anger, passion for his work, and also anger as a mad man. Red also shows joy in the character, and how much he enjoys his line of work, evil or not. The red bloodthirsty idea of his need for teeth resembles also represents chaos. Instead of a perfectly clean look he should have, adding red gives him a gruesome twist and ironic style for the character. The lighting chosen for the character gives him a darker image. When outside work he can only to be seen hidden in the shadows.

      The protagonist: Davey is very different from the antagonist Dr. Dentist. He appears to have no special powers, but always has his favorite candy in hand. The color of a rainbow is used to give a happy feeling of joy, and wonder of what might be on the end of the rainbow. Davey is always on an adventure and off to find something out. The circular shape of the lollypop also signifies the characters shape and with a softer style. Always on the go the circle represents his speed and youth. These traits are an advantage Davey has over Dr. Cavity, but not knowingly.

    Smurfs are always cheerful, cute, and innocent, similar to Davey. With the same cartoon style, and circular shape of the characters are both used. Blue is also used to represent energy, but calmness and relaxation. Davey has an easy flow in his motions and way of going about things in his typical day. Blue also represents goodness and peace in the character. High saturation and low contrast show a very welcoming character used on Davey. The Pillsbury dough boy also resembles in his smile and shape the joy shared with Davey. The Pillsbury dough boy gives you a feeling of taste, hunger for candy, and sweet delicious sugar.

 

The red scooter is not only what Davey chooses for transportation, but to avoid harm and represents his speed and agility. Red represents the caution he needs when danger is near, love and passion for candy. The classical style of this character also is shown in the traditional old school scooter, instead of picking a more modern style. A flashy hot rod looking scooter like this represents Davey’s style and attitude from the 60’s. A small scooter like this also shows hints Davey’s age as a young boy. While still holding a casual and mellow attitude, Davey has a look to show off with style on his shiny scooter.