former Newfane student's work in Animation

Ron Fedkiw graduated 3 years ahead of me at Newfane, and now he is a PhD teaching at Stanford, working with Industrial Light + Magic. Math does matter, people.

Click on any still image to see the accompanying video.

http://physbam.stanford.edu/~fedkiw/

Final Blog Post Instructions (Due June 1)

Your final blog post is a class evaluation (no posts of interest required this week - your grade will be based on this one post). In your post, answer the questions below. Please be honest - your answers will help me to continually improve this class.

1. In general, what did you like most about this class?

2. What was your favorite project and why?

3. In general, what did you like least about this class?

4. What was your least favorite project and why?

5. What are your future plans upon graduation?

6. Do you feel that this class will help you achieve your future academic or career goals? Please give specific examples.

7. What advice would you give to incoming students?

8. Additional comments:

Villa Maria Student Animation Demo Reel

Here's an example of the kind of work they do at Villa Maria College:

http://vimeo.com/42354145

Animation: Sound Sync Issues in Flash

To assure that your audio syncs with your animation as best as possible, try these tips:

• Select your sound in the Timeline, and set your sound sync to "Stream" in the Properties window.

• In your Publish Settings, make sure sounds are NOT set to MP3 compression. Use ADPCM. You can also tweak each sound compression individually in the sound properties (right click on the sound in the Library).

These two steps should solve 99% of audio synch problems...

Animation Contest Links

Choice 1: Firefox Flicks
http://www.firefoxflicks.org
Create an animation that helps people better understand the issues facing them online and shows how Firefox helps them deal with these issues. Seniors, you may choose to do a video for this option if you wish. If so, you must hand  in a script along with your storyboard.
Length: 30 seconds to unspecified
Prize: $5000 in equipment/scholarship, plus others
Contest Deadline: 4/12/12

Choice 2: Getting The Book Invented Properly:
The International Douglas Adams Animation Competition
http://www.theliteraryplatform.com/getting-the-book-invented
Produce an animation that best illustrates the words of Douglas Adams (audio provided).
Length: 30 seconds to entirety of clip (you may edit the audio to the length you want)
Prize: iPad2 and a towel
Contest Deadline: 4/15/12

Choice 3: Independent Study
Create an original short animation based on the topic of your choosing. If you choose this option, you must submit a brief proposal (1-2 paragraphs) describing the project, for my approval, before you complete your storyboards. Finished animation must be at least 30 seconds in length.

UPDATE: NEW CHOICE

Lego Hero Factory Video Project

http://tongal.com/project/herofactory/overview#!tab_background

Explore LEGO Hero Factory and the BREAKOUT storyline through your own unique perspective, and create an animated or animation/live action blend video that will create viral buzz and excitement for the LEGO Hero Factory.

Length: 30-90 seconds (for my purposes, you must create 2 or more entries or combine with another project to total at least 2 minutes) 

Prize: $500 - $8000 

Contest Deadline: 4/5/12

UPDATE AGAIN: YET ANOTHER CHOICE


Mobile Rhino Feel Free to Be Wildly Creative! Video Contest
http://www.rhino-insurance.com/video-contest
Create an animation (or video if you are a senior) that shows funny, crazy, off-the-wall, true and embarrassing stories that showcase how easy it is to accidentally destroy, lose your phone or have your identity stolen.
Length: 30-90 seconds
Prize: $2500, plus other prizes
Contest Deadline: 5/1/12

Donnie Darko Analysis Links

http://www.donniedarko.org.uk/explanation/
http://www.donniedarko.org.uk/alternative-explantions/
http://www.themoviegoer.com/donnie_darko.htm

Many more available if you search for them...

Classic Lorax animation

In case you want to see the old-school animation based on the Dr. Seuss book:

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5jnJdnQPr8&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLD81649209656658A

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzYRkGIQpOs&feature=related

Video Contest Project Links

Choice 1: The Great American NO BULL Challenge

http://nobull.votigo.com/nobullchallenge

Create a video on how you would deal with cyberbullying.

Length: 2-5 minutes Prize: MANY. See site for details. Deadline: 3/15/12

Choice 2: Magnolius ‘Selaron’ Music Video Contest

http://www.magnolius.com/

Create an original music video for “Selaron” in any style you wish (footage, animation, stop motion, typography, mixed media, etc.).

Length: 3:19 Prize: $1000, plus other prizes Deadline: 4/10/12

Choice 3: Getting The Book Invented Properly:

The International Douglas Adams Animation Competition

http://www.theliteraryplatform.com/getting-the-book-invented

Produce an animation that best illustrates the words of Douglas Adams (audio provided).

Length: approx. 2 minutes Prize: iPad2 and a towel Deadline: 4/15/12

Choice 4: Various Shorts 

You must complete TWO of these to count as one project (unless you choose FireFox Flicks or the O/N BOCES Teacher Center Literacy Contest and your entry is at least 2 minutes). 

Niagara University 2012 Media Awareness PSA Student Video Competition 

http://www.niagara.edu/mad-video-contest-2012/

Produce a Public Service Announcement promoting “Media Literacy”. (See contest site for topic ideas.)

Length: 30 or 60 seconds         First Prize: $100 Honorable Mention: $50   Deadline: 3/16/12

2012 Kavli Science & Engineering Video Contest 

http://www.schooltube.com/contests/2012-kavli-save-world-through-science-engineering/

Videos should explore the main theme “Save the World Through Science and Engineering.”  

Length: 30-90 seconds Prize: $2000, plus other prizes Deadline: 3/21/12

Firefox Flicks 

http://www.firefoxflicks.org

Create a video that helps people better understand the issues facing them online and shows how Firefox helps them deal with these issues. (Can be video or animation.) Note: If your entry is 2 minutes or longer, you do not have to complete another contest.

Length: 30 seconds to unspecified Prize: $5000 in equipment/scholarship, plus others Deadline: 4/12/12

IP Video Contest 

http://www.ipvideocontest.com/

Create a video about how the patent system protects inventors and promotes progress.

Length: 60 seconds or less Prize: $5000 scholarship Deadline: 7/1/12

***Updated Choices***

O/N BOCES Teacher Center Literacy Contest

application 

Video that addresses the theme "Free to Be Me: Dignity for All!". See application for topic ideas.

Length: unspecified Prize: various Deadline: 3/30/12

(note: you may combine this with another contest, if 30-60 seconds, or it will count as one project if over 2 minutes)

What's Your Story? 

http://whatsyourstory.trendmicro.com/internet-safety/Home.do

Submit and share a short video to help others stay safe, smart and responsible online. (Topic choices on site.)

Length: 30 seconds to 2 minutes Prize: $10,000, plus other prizes Deadline: 4/3/12

Video: Another Contest Option

Our teacher center is running a contest that can be used in your upcoming contest project. If you choose this contest, your video should be at least 2 minutes long, or you can combine it with another short one if it is shorter.

application 

Animation - You will need this to combine meshes for rigging

http://www.mac3dsoftware.com/tutorials_combine.php