Title : Critically Comparing my Skills, Processes and Methods

1st. Formulate your question:

Look below at what you  are you being asked to evaluate.

Unit 1

U1.2.1 Critically compare a range of communication methods used to convey meaning in creative media production.

Note Critically is similar to compare but concentrate on the things that are different with two or more methods used or what sets them apart. Point out any differences which are particularly significant.

In your own words say what U1.2.1 is asking you to do.

Answer: To critically compare a range media products.

2nd. Gather your information:

What have you been doing that you can evaluate

On your blog you now have two weeks detailing classes in The Carousel and professional ways to use tools, skills, processes.  If you have details of these you have done this point just add the links below.

Blog link to last week:

Answer: https://l3jamesw.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/week-2-first-evaluation-of-carousel.html

Blog link to this week:

Answer: https://l3jamesw.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/week-3-second-evaluation-of-carousel.html

3rd. Apply the information

How well have you done in the sessions?

Ask yourself:

• Which skills, Processes and Methods or tools you enjoyed the most?

Answer: Mono-printing, making thick lines that look like they were made by a 2B pencil resulting in a black-and-white print.

• Which of the things you have been shown could you demonstrate to another person?

Answer: Drawing still life, juxtaposing colours of red and blue.

• Which of the things you have been shown do you need more practice with?

Answer: Drawing using a biro and also using charcoal.

4th. Consider the implications

If you were asked by a professional to use some of the tools, skills, processes how well would you do?

Answer: If I was asked by a professional artist to draw from life I feel I may struggle as my drawing technique is imperfect and I could use some practice.

5. Explore other points of view

Have you considered feedback from teachers and Peers as to how well you did in the session, if so what feedback have you had?

Answer: No

What Feedback have you had so far that tells you you are doing okay in the session?

Answer: One of the fashion tutors told me that my fabric looked good.

Week 3 Second Evaluation of the Carousel

Cartridge paper

With primary research we did the dyeing on our own and secondary research was being told how to dye the fabric.

A skill I tried was painting disperse dye on to cartridge paper using a brush, something I'm not used to.  We had to create a logo for a crew shirt.

The process I did was printing on fabric with disperse dyes, the method for it was to first paint an outline of our logo in reverse (this is because when the dye was printed it would print a mirror image of what we has painted). Then we painted the disperse dyes on to the cartridge paper, for me it took around forty to fifty minutes to fully paint this. I then took my dried cartridge paper to the heat press(which is set to 180 degrees Celsius) and placed my cartridge paper with a plain sheet of polyester into the heat press for 60 seconds.
The end result was a fully printed logo.

The tools I used were: Paintbrushes, a heat press, pencils and a paint holder whilst others in my group also used embroidery hoops and sewing machines.

The finished fabric

Ooooooh its a gif

An Introduction to the Nikon D3200

The Nikon D3200 is a Digital SLR camera produced by the Japanese company Nikon.
tHE D3200 is relatively pricey at around £300, it has a maximum focal length of 55mm and a minimum focal length of 18mm. 

The D3200

I feel this camera would be useful during my Media Studies course as it is able to take photographs and videos effectively, therefore I would be able to use it for taking photographs for print projects as well as moving image projects.
The D3200 is reportedly easy to use and ideal for people new to DSLRs like myself.

Analysis of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Scene.

Analysis of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Krennic meets Vader.

Technical Codes

One technical code seen within this scene is the use of a slight zoom when Vader uses the force to choke director Krennic. This helps to show us the shock on Krennic's face as he realises that he cannot breathe and we can see the fear on his face. This also reminds us that Vader is a threat, even to those on the same side as him. 

Another example of a technical code used is an over-the-shoulder shot when Vader confronts Director Krennic about the use of the Death Star on the City of Jedha. The purpose of this shot is to display how Darth Vader towers over Krennic in both stature but also in authority. 

A third technical code is the use of a downward tilt when Krennic walks into a chamber, this shows us the grandness of Vader's castle and how high the ceilings are in this one room. It could also be used as an establishing shot to set the scene for their confrontation.
The scene uses a long shot when the door which Vader is behind lifts up, this is to help with the understanding of the set and show the audience the grandness of Vader's castle.
A final technical code used in the scene is a circular tracking shot of the two characters on a platform where they are having their conversation. This has a similar purpose as a long shot. It is used to display more of the setting and to also make the audience feel more involved in the action

Visual Codes 

A visual code used within this scene is the costumes of both Vader and Krennic. Vader's costume is black and technologically advanced whilst Krennic's costume is white and plain, with the exception of his cape. The purpose of this is to display their binary opposition, despite being them both being on the side of the Empire they oppose each other. Vader in fact opposes the Death Star and finds it a waste of the Empire's money and time whilst Krennic, director of the entire Death Star project saw it as entirely necessary.

A second visual code is the use of the colour black used in Darth Vader's castle and his costume. Black has connotations of evil and death, both characteristics perfectly reflected by vader himself.
Another visual code of colour in the scene is the fact that Krennic wears white. White has connotations of perfection which matches with Director Krennic's need for perfection of his project, the Death Star.
A minor visual code seen is the iconography of the door which Vader exits from. The door itself is the same trapezium shape as the vent on Vader's helmet, the meaning of this is to show that this fortress is indeed Vader's and was built specifically for him.
Towards the end of the scene Vader uses a pointing gesture towards Krennic in whilst ordering him to not fail again, this is to show Vader's anger towards Krennic as his mask shrouds his face. 

Audio Codes

An audio code used in this scene is music, specifically a slower rendition of John William's Imperial March that has come to represent Darth Vader, the music is intimidating, as to reflect how intimidating Darth Vader himself is. It is played before we even see Vader in his suit and thus informs us that we will see the sith lord in all his glory.
Another audio code heard within this scene is the sound effect heard when Vader force chokes Krennic. It sounds as if the air is being forced from his lungs. The effect of this is to inform us that he is being choked as the sound effect is notorious in the Star Wars films and is memorable.
Finally the most important audio code used in this scene is dialogue between Darth Vader and Director Krennic, this is used to convey the thoughts and feelings of both characters involved in the scene and to inform the audience about what it occurring.

Week 2 First Evaluation of the Carousel

1. Evidence of me taking part: (Pictures, Diary entries, Printouts ETC) U1.1.2

The complete sheet of my drawings. 

2. Write up your experience of the following...

2a Discuss any research that you carried out in these sessions: U2.1.1,


Now list Primary and Secondary sources U2.2.1

Primary: We had to test out drawing with both a pencil and a pen. From there we had to choose which one to use. 

Secondary: We also looked at past student artwork to see what they would've drawing had used that to inspire our own sketches and drawings. 

2b Discuss any skills that you have tried: U2.1.1
We tried multiple artistic skills such as drawing with a broad tipped pen and then applying water with a brush in order to cause it to bleed. All our drawings were still life drawings (drawing from something real) which in of itself is a skill. Another skill I tried was using two different pens to draw the jaw bone. I used a blue and red biro to create this. 

The result of bleeding the ink (highlighter added)

2c Discuss any processes and methods you used (Photography wet process, Screen Printing, Photoshop layering etc): U1.1.1


What is your understanding of these?:
Processes

The two main processes I practiced was: drawing still life and mono-printing.

Methods

I used a variety of methods in order to draw still life. For instance one method was drawing was using two different pencils held together to draw one drawing and other was using a highlighter to bring out the lines. The method I used to mono-print was to put a pea-sized blob of black-oil based ink on to the glass workbench, then I used a large roller in order to spread and flatten the ink on the desk. Once the ink was evenly spread I placed a sheet of newsprint paper with a photograph of an object stuck to it. I traced the lines of the photo and eventually lifted up the paper to reveal a mono-print. 

The roller I used to spread the ink. 

The finished mono-print of a shell.

2d Discuss the tools that you used (Paint, Material, Software, etc): U2 3.1

Evaluate them 


How effective are they?
Some tools such as the pencils I used were highly effective in creating a basic, neat sketch, this may be due to me having experience with using them to draw. However I struggled when using the pens to draw without pencil line-art to use as a basis. It was a method almost alien to me as usually when I draw I always draw in pencil first. 
With the mono-print I was surprised to see that it wasn't as dark as I had expected, it looked as if it was drawn with a pencil, rather than a pen.

How could this be improved?

With the use of pens to draw quickly, to improve I could practice a lot more and even try to use different types of pen. I never used a biro to draw whilst in art and design as I used my own fine liner.