Meeting with Carrie Brooks

            I met with Carrie Brooks to discuss my resume and possible internships available. She was very informative while going over my resume. She gave some useful feedback telling me not to say things like "I" and "Me" in a resume. She pointed out that I only had minor issues such as spacing and alignments. After we went over my resume I showed her the internships I found during my research. She wanted to know if I found any local opportunities, and I told her about one I found was in Nashville and seemed pretty interesting. She then went online and showed me an updated list of internships pertaining to my concentration here in Memphis. I saw a couple that I liked and told her that I am planning on doing some next semester. We went over how internships are credited and that it was a good thing to get started as soon as possible. She told me that it is good that I have been at my current job for so long because it shows my dedication. I plan on staying in contact with her for the remaining years. She is very intelligent and helpful. I will use what I learned from her and work at my resume skills and jump on internship opportunities when they become available.

Demo Reel Reviews

2011 Animation Demo Reel from Travis Ramsdale on Vimeo.

I really liked this reel because of the nice animations. I think the piece is overall good and works without the music. All the animations are smooth and show his skills.



Alessandro Camporota Character Animation Demo Reel 2011 from Alessandro Camporota on Vimeo.

There were a lot of nice animation pieces in it. There is a nice constant flow of action happening.
Animation Demo Reel from David Alvarez on Vimeo.

This one was one of my favorite Animation Reels because it kept you interested in the piece and there were plenty of cool animations that were well put together. It also made me laugh throughout the piece.
2014 game animation demo reel by Sung Wook Lee from Sung Wook Lee on Vimeo.

This reel is real good. It shows some nice game animations. The only thing is at the end, I don't think that last animation fits within this whole reel.
2012 character animation Demo Reel from Jordi Solanes on Vimeo.

This is a nice animation reel. The only thing I don't like is the way the cuts are made. I think it could be a little smoother.
 
Animation Reel from Daniele Zannone on Vimeo.

This reel has a lot of acting and movements incorporated. I like how it is all put together but seems to slow down in certain parts. In all it is well put together.

Info Interview

         I talked with a friend of mine. This is his last semester at MCA and he currently works with a graphic company. Last semester he applied for multiple interns and jobs. He said it took some time but was finally contacted by a few of them. Mainly he had to be persistent, patient and receive help whenever he could get it. I asked him about how he felt about having the choice to stay here for an internship or to go to another state for an internship. He felt like if I wanted it bad enough then I should pursue it no matter where it is. He also made it clear that I should start as early as possible and use all the resources from school I can possible. It was an interesting talk and I had a lot of views on it and he reassured my ideas and what I want to do in pursuing my career.

Internship Research

Magnetic Dreams Animation Studio is located in Nashville 

http://www.magneticdreams.com/studio/career/

Electronic Arts has plenty of Animation internships in Florida

 https://career4.successfactors.com/career?career_ns=job_listing&company=EA&navBarLevel=JOB_SEARCH&rcm_site_locale=en_US&career_job_req_id=27107&selected_lang=en_US&jobAlertController_jobAlertId=&jobAlertController_jobAlertName=&_s.crb=kijTfsDTTq8r7ggIc5id0ZQxrf8%3d

Game Design

https://career4.successfactors.com/career?career_ns=job_listing&company=EA&navBarLevel=JOB_SEARCH&rcm_site_locale=en_US&career_job_req_id=31982&selected_lang=en_US&jobAlertController_jobAlertId=&jobAlertController_jobAlertName=&_s.crb=kijTfsDTTq8r7ggIc5id0ZQxrf8%3d

Agency 51 in Philadelphia

http://www.internqueen.com/internship/graphic-design-and-production-internship

Nickelodeon Animation Studio offers many opportunities in the animation and production fields

http://nickanimationstudio.com/jobs/internships/

DreamWorks Creative Intern in Glendale, CA

http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/company/careers/internships

Rockstar San Diego Character Artist

http://www.rockstargames.com/jobs/position/0be766fc/rockstar-san-diego

Nickelodeon Animation Studio Internship Program in Burbank, CA

http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH05/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=MTVNETWORKS&cws=6&rid=6739

Artistic and Production Internship, Disney TV Animation in Burbank, CA

https://sjobs.brassring.com/tgwebhost/jobdetails.aspx?partnerid=25348&siteid=5039&jobid=165073

Pixar Animation Studios Production Internship in Emeryville, CA

http://www.pixar.com/careers/Available-Internships#Pixar-Internships-ProductionManagement-993

The Hangover Script Analysis

Shape
The beginning of the story starts with them telling what is coming and then goes back to what happened and started. They wake up in a room not knowing what had happened. Their friend that was supposed to get married is lost. The middle of the story is where everything happens to them as they try to figure out where their friend is and what happened to them. The last of the story is when they find their friend and end up making it to his wedding on time.

Direction
The direction of the story starts off with them just trying to have a good time and have a bachelor’s party. The story is for them to find the groom in time so that he can make his wedding. All his friends have a drive to find him and look for clues as to what had happened the night before. Their friendship is keeping them together and helping them get through all of the situations that try to prevent them from succeeding.

Momentum
From the start the momentum of the story is fast past. In the beginning they start them off in the desert saying that they messed up, and then from there they go into when they partied. It then slows down for a moment to show them waking up and not knowing what happened. Then speeds up when they go around the city trying to figure things out. Then it slows back down when they find their friend and ends everything happily.

Depth
There is a bit of subtext in the story. They all feel bad for not knowing what happened. One of the characters named Alan is kind of mental and just wanted them to have a good time, but ended up messing them up worse than he thought was going to happen. The characters feel like it’s their fault and make it their priority to make things right. There is a sense from the family of the wife that they aren't liked much and want them to fail.

Unity
This story shows a good balance in the direction the film is trying to go. It has a good shape and has a certain depth to it. It shows good momentum as well because of how it starts off in the middle of the action and then goes back and shows how they ended up in that situation and then all these events happen and they come out on top at the end.

Goal Statement For Screenplay

        I am hoping to make the viewers laugh and feel bad for the characters as they go through each situation. I want them to feel like they are in the film themselves and wonder what they would do if something so crazy just happened to them. I want them leaving with a smile and a feeling of being glad that wasn't me type of feeling.

Plot Outline

Act I
What happens in Act I (Setup)?

Exposition-- Its early Friday mid-June in Memphis, TN. Jay and Rick wake up and both are called by their girlfriends. They inform them that it is time for them to take a vacation to Brazil and need them to take off the following week. They agree and tell them that they have nothing to worry about. Jay and Rick get to work later that day. They have been slaving all night moving heavy packages at the warehouse and very tired. They ask for the days off and are given the time off. They both are very excited and can't wait. They haven't been able to spend much time with their girlfriends because of work and summer classes.

Inciting Incident-- Jay and Rich were at the bar the night before they were suppose to leave and got wasted. The day of their departure from Memphis to Brazil with their girlfriends they woke up an hour late. When they arrive, they find a plane to take and get to the terminal only to find that the whole terminal is filled with Zombies dressed in terrorist clothes.

Act II
What happens in Act II (Confrontation)?

Obstacles-- Jay and Rick look at each other and are in disbelief. They trip on their luggage. They get stuck on the escalators. They meet two other people that can help them. They lose the people while running. They get caught in a Zombie crowd and try to blend. They end up in the restroom all the way across the airport from their designated terminal.  
First Culmination-- Jay and Rick wait for a while and look to see if there are any signs of the Zombies. Coast seems clear so they head to the terminal.
Midpoint-- They reach the terminal. They notice that the terminal numbers were covered up and they are at the wrong one. Zombies start to walk by but don't notice them. They see a cart but it is not working. They both try to get it to work, but fail miserably. Jay being that he feels he can make anything was starting to question his self, Rick being that he is real strong still was useless and didn't help the situation. One of which Rick got bitten on his leg but didn't tell Jay about it.

Act III 
What happens in Act III (Resolution)?

Climax (Second Culmination)-- Both sad and loss of hope. the two people from earlier find there way back to Jay and Rick. It turns out that one is a CEO of a construction company and the other is a female personal trainer. Jay and Rick now have to decide whether they will swallow their prides and admit they need help or not let them help and face the Zombie horde that is closing on them.

Denouement-- Jay, Rick, the CEO, the female personal trainer and both the girlfriends are all on the beach enjoying the nice tropical climate and sipping on all kinds of drinks. Everything turned out great, Rick lost a leg and Jay is now happily engaged.

Character Breakdown

Jay
1. Character Functions
a) protagonist

 
2. Character Emotions
b) Empathy – the audience UNDERSTANDS the emotions that drive the character


3. Character ComponentsViews his self a handy man.
He is not very good at fixing things, but he likes to believe so.

4. Character Background
a) Memphis, TN

b) Working at a package handling warehouse

c) He is a little too dependent on his skills

d) He tries so hard, but just can't seem to get it right

e) I can make anything, give me a hammer and I'm your man
 
5. Character Objectives (Most Important!)
These are the main needs and wants of a character (what people want out of life)
a) SUPER OBJECTIVE 
To show his girlfriend how good of a man he is.

b) OBJECTIVES 
Be on the beach relaxing with his girlfriend and to be away from work.

c) MAIN ACTIONS 
Goes through a zombie infested airport and nearly dies just to get to his girlfriend in Brazil.

Rick
1. Character Functions

c) best friend

 
2. Character Emotions
b) Empathy – the audience UNDERSTANDS the emotions that drive the character


3. Character ComponentsIf he feels like it can be used as a weight, he will lift it. Excessive exerciser

Has a well toned body, but indulges in a lot of cupcakes

4. Character Background
a) Memphis, TN

b) Working in a package handling warehouse with Jay

c) He is pretty cocky and doesn't take no for an answer

d) He can be quiet annoying at times

e) I can out lift Super Man
 
5. Character Objectives (Most Important!)
These are the main needs and wants of a character (what people want out of life)
a) SUPER OBJECTIVE 
To help his friend get to Brazil with his girl and try to pay more attention to his girl than his biceps.

b) OBJECTIVES 
To be on the beach lifting weights

c) MAIN ACTIONS 
He finds zombies and makes them come to him just so he can see how many he could lift.

Kiara
1. Love interest
2. Antipathy
3. Wants nothing more than to just enjoy the company of her boyfriend Jay and their friends.

Jasmine
1. Love interest
2. Antipathy
3. Ready for a vacation and loves hanging with her friends and wants to get more attention from Rick.

CEO
1. comic relief
2. Empathy
3. Likes to tech his skills to others

Personal Trainer
1. comic relief
2. Empathy
3. Likes to pick on men who think they are strong

Zombie Terrorist
1. comic relief
2. Antipathy
3. All they want to do is be friends and to hug everyone they see, while having an uncontrollable hunger for brains

Flaw Brainstorm

Flaw brainstorm

First: Determine the flaw of your MC, then discover their story by asking the following:

1. Keeping the MC's flaw in mind, what is the worst situation they could find themselves in?

Jay – Believes he knows how to make anything. Finding his self in a situation where he needs to rely on someone else to tell him how to do something.

Rick – Believes he is the strongest guy on earth. Find his self in a situation where somebody does something better than him.

2. What is the first action your MC would take?

Jay – He would try to do something he has no clue about, but would make it seem like he can do it.

Rick – He would try to outdo the other person.

3. How might this action backfire?

Jay – Whatever he was trying to do would get messed up worse.

Rick – He would end up hurting his self in the process.

4. Who is the least likely person who might help the MC or team up with them?

Jay – A CEO of a construction company.

Rick – There would be a personal trainer that is a woman.

5. What new action might that person push the MC to take?

Jay – He might realize that he can’t make anything to help his situation.

Rick – Might lead him to think that he is weak and will start to not try hard anymore.

6. Who or what might get in the way of this new activity?

Jay – A lady is trapped in the bathroom by zombie terrorist.

Rick – A little girl stuck under a golf cart.

7. How might the flaw of the MC turn into a skill?

Jay – He spent all of his life making paper planes. He was so good he never thought of it as a skill, it was just natural.

Rick – He would always be there for anyone that was feeling at their lowest. He was a strong motivational speaker.

8. What surprising final action could be taken that is the least likely thing your character would have originally done?

Jay – Let somebody with more knowledge help him out.

Rick – Asking anyone for help.

Critique on "Sarah's Synopsis"

This film is about a woman’s conflicting identities and negotiating her way through these to come to terms with both in a balanced union. In one she is bound in her role that is prescribed for her and struggles to free herself. In the other, she is content in her role, accepting it and identifying her femininity with it. Whether accepting or rejecting, these roles are defined for her by culture and society. Isolated from the culture, what would be her true identity? This is one aspect of identity represented in the film.

The two split sides of her personality come together and merge into one. She sheds both and goes out in the world to find her true identity. The split within a person can refer to many aspects of a personality. It could be representative of a struggle to balance her conflicting desires or aspirations, her shadow and ego, the spiritual and mental dimensions of her personality, her place in the two cultures of the East and West.

As the two conflicting sides of her personality find their way to light, they come together in harmony. She reaches an understanding and awareness of herself as she assimilates all the traits in a balance within herself. This symbolizes a form of rebirth or reaching a new level of awareness and growth.

Resolving the conflicts within herself, shedding the roles prescribed from outside, reaching a new level of self awareness that is not defined by cultural identity but a person’s authentic identity, she moves forward emerging from darkness into light, like a person reborn.

Life’s most destructive and challenging experiences that one has to navigate, also forces one to confront the struggles and reach a higher level of awareness. The setting of the woods with ruptured, fallen trees and destruction in nature concurrent with growth makes it an apt setting for the film. Woods and nature also makes it a neutral setting not defined by any culture or society. It also refers to true identity being found in connecting with one’s true nature or the force that runs through all life forms. Trees also reference growth, strength, and awareness. Fallen trees represent the many downfalls or metaphorical deaths through which one rises each time and continues on the journey.

The film therefore represents a woman’s psychological struggle to achieve balance through many trials she faces in life in the process of self-actualization.

Write a brief narrative to give the setting and background of your potential film

• Use clear and simple language. Keep it to a few sentences, giving the reader a feel for the film without details.

            The film is set in the woods with fallen trees and branches scattered in parts of the woods. It starts at dusk/night with the figures moving through the woods in parallel shots or shots in alternate sequence. They get closer and the two merge into one. As they move closer, the woods begin to get lit gradually and they merge in a stream or halo of light in a close up shot. One figure is wrapped in scarlet semi-transparent fabric and the other in royal blue. They merge to form a person in translucent white with the fabric trapping shed and the body emerging.

Provide a brief sketch of the main character(s)

• Give the reader some idea about their gender, age, occupation, physical characteristics and basic personality traits.
• Briefly explain the main conflict the character faces in the film.

            The main character is a young female (from 20-mid thirties) but you can’t tell the precise age because she is wrapped and covered in fabric. She is of medium height and slender. The specific personality traits and occupation are not disclosed because she represents an archetype of female experience.

            However, the hypothetical character would be a female in early or mid thirties but slender and young looking. She has lived and grown up in two contrasting cultures of the east and the west. Her identity most of her life was defined by her eastern culture where she was raised to fulfill the role of a submissive wife serving her husband and family. As she migrates into the new culture and continues with her role, her prescribed identity comes into question when removed from the culture. She goes through many trials and leaves her husband to rescue herself and her children.

            As she plunges into a new life by herself, every aspect of her identity begins to fall apart. She has left the role and identity defined by a husband, family, and culture. Free to define her own identity, she is faced with many dilemmas, conflicting desires, aspirations, and choices. She is neither completely defined by the eastern values or the western altogether, one culture versus the other, one gender role versus the other, one code of behavior and place in society versus the other. Yet they are all a part of her. Who is she outside of all the definitions she has always identified with?

            She becomes aware of all the contradictory conflicts and struggles within a person in the process of learning and becoming. Balancing all the contradictions within is how she can meet her true self. The process of growth at its highest level of existence leads to enlightenment and achieving balance. This is one step of resolution in the process.

Describe the main plot and how the main character is involved.

• Make sure it has a beginning, middle, climax and end.

            The story starts with a woman wrapped in fabric. There are 2 versions of the same woman, one wrapped in scarlet red lace, and the other in royal blue. Each rises from under the layer of fabric lit from underneath and as she moves up, the fabric wraps around her, clinging to her and binding her like a web. Each begins a dance. The scarlet woman is pushing the fabric off her and trying to free herself of it. The blue woman is dancing serenely with the fabric flowing smoothly with her movements.

            Both begin a journey through the woods. The come across many obstacles, fallen trees on the way, paths overgrown with twigs and branches that they walk through as they continue to make their way out. They start getting closer and closer to the viewer from the deep, dark parts of the woods into a gradually more lit and open space. The film follows their journey.

            They both move closer toward each other from the different directions and in the end merge together into one person. The fabrics shed and fall away and the person underneath is covered in translucent sheer covering move up and out into the light. It changes from night to dawn and it ends with the figure dancing in the light.

Include a few details about flashbacks, special effects or major action scenes.

• but only enough to convey the general flavor of the film. Use only details that are important to the plot.

Special effects would be dramatic, high contrast lighting, angle of views, time of the day changing from night to dawn, split scenes or parallel scenes one screen for some scenes, merging of the two figures and light emanating from the final figure.

Music would create the drama and mood. Instrumental music with sitar and tablas could be used for this. There could be an ending song.

The effects would be used to create mystery.

Finish your synopsis with a clear idea of how the film ends.

• Leave the reader satisfied, yet wanting to know more.

    The film ends with a woman in some sheer translucent white fabric with her silhouette slightly blurred and her form giving an ethereal effect, shrouded in light, making her look translucent. She dances up and out of the blue and red colored fabrics and emerges translucent looking and rising in a beam of light with her long hair flowing around her, like some image of Venus rising. Like a light-footed fairy with some element of magic or supernatural, she begins to do a swirling dance. It ends with the person fading away and the music playing.

Impact - 6. I was left thinking about a movie called, "Disturbia" where there are split personalities conflicting with each other. I feel like this is more of a character description rather than a film. I really don't get the goal and the theme is pretty clear.

Clarity - The story isn't very clear because it was hard to break up what was the story and what was meant to just describe the character. the setting and backgrounds are of course spot on and the character seemed to have some personal goal set.

Potential - I think the story itself is incomplete and there is lots of room for an actual story, its just not as clear. 

Overall Feedback - I would basically just work on the story aspect because the character description is over powering what your wanting the story to look and be.

Synopsis of Short Film

            Here we have Justice. He is in his mid twenties and he works at "We Can Have It," which is a shipping company. He works with his best friend Jay. Jay is slightly older and Justice thinks of him as a brother. Both are always at work each and every day. Their coworkers aren't so enthusiastic about coming to work every day and doing their job like they are supposed to. Their supervisor doesn't recognize Justice and Jay for their outstanding work ethnics, and always lets their coworkers do pretty much whatever they want.

            After a hard week of work Justice and Jay decide that they want to take Friday off since they are so tired. They tell their supervisor the plan, but the plan does not approve and strongly considers them to not take off because they are needed at work. Justice and Jay get upset with the answer and ask once more. The supervisor does not budge. Jay tells Justice that they should just take off anyways and that they will be fine and won't get fired for taking one day off. Come Friday, they are nowhere to be found at work. The supervisor gets angry and writes the two up and mails them their walking papers. Not knowing what has happened Jay and Justice spend their free Friday playing video games and relaxing. Refreshed and feeling a whole lot better, the two go back to work Monday. All seems well when they arrive and the supervisor doesn't say anything to them. They work hard the whole week, back to doing what they do best. Friday once again, but they already planned on staying for work this time. They both check their mailboxes and find a letter from their job. Justice opens his letter and reads it. He is disgusted and unimaginably angry with what has just happened. He calls Jay to tell him the news. Jay tells him that he too got the letter. They learned that their unreasonable supervisor had fired them the Friday they took off and that they had worked the whole week without pay. Jay wanted to go up to the job and cause havoc on the place and especially toward their old boss, but Justice insisted that it wasn't worth it and that they will find work somewhere else. Jay didn't want to hear it and begun his onslaught. Justice had an idea and brought the situation to the manager. After of which the manager took quick action and fired the supervisor immediately. The manager then hired Justice back and made him the supervisor. He asked about Jay, but the manager refused because of Jay's earlier expedition. Though sad about his best friend, he is grateful to be working again and now gets to do things the way he thought the job should have ran in the first place.

Project 1 Development Brainstorm and Reading

I wanted to create a character that was simple and was easy to relate to the norm. I decided to go with a girl named Mercedes that would unknowingly get help from someone she is close to and not even realize it. I think a lot of people had that moment when somebody was trying to help them and they were oblivious to it or thought they knew best. 

Rule of Thirds

I noticed that the main character was centered  followed by the secondary character to the side and then the main character's shadow is placed to the other side of the Rule of Thirds.

All characters are positioned on the sides and not the center.

I was watching the movie The Watch. I took several shots and these scenes interested me the most.

Focal Length

Standard Lens

Telephoto

Standard Lens

Telephoto

Wide Angle Lens

Wide Angle Lens

Aperture Size/ F-Stop

Here are some examples I found of Shallow DOF and Deep DOF. The Shallow is more focused on a center subject, while in the deep there is more information being showed within the photo.