Monday, April 27, 2009

progress on final

I have all of my drawings done and a storyboard written out.  I decided I wanted to scan my drawings instead of taking pictures of them if I can.  I have all of my sounds and where I want to put them.

Monday, April 13, 2009

My plan

By next week I want to have all of my major drawings done and my story written out. I also want to record sounds to put on audacity to go with the animation.
The next week I will put them on photoshop and make them animation.
while doing this I will add audacity tracks.

Final project

So I decided that for my final project I am going to do a totem pole type story using symbols and experimenting with interesting ways to tell a story.  I am going to make the totem pole art more up to date by making it an animation on photoshop.  I am going to do drawings that resemble totem poles but be made up of shapes that are symbols to tell the story.  The shapes will break off to narrate the story and possibly be birds and nature, to symbolize a sort of coming of age story.  

Monday, April 6, 2009

Final project idea three

I recorded my feelings throughout the day. I have felt tired, anxious, excited, accomplished, proud, nervous and angry. I think it is very interesting how your mood can change so drastically and so many times in just one day. I am also interested in the in between phases because moods rarely go from one extreme to another. I want to record my moods again and record how long I was in that mood. Then I want to create an animation and audio that reflects my mood and play it for the period of time that I was in that mood.

Final project 2nd idea

I was also thinking about how the same story would be changed if it took place in different time periods. Social life has changed over time depending on education, economy, attitudes toward gender and race and who was in authority power among many other aspects. I have information on the medieval period, the 1920's, and the biblical period.

http://www.medieval-life.net/life_main.htm

http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade20.html

http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=3953

I was thinking the story would be the classic love story, with a simple formula, only letting the time period change it.

Final project 1st idea

I was thinking of different ways to tell a story. Some ways are non linear which makes them more interesting. Other ways are using symbols to portray different meanings. The Native Americans use these aspects in their totem poles. I did some research on totem poles to learn more about their storytelling. I was thinking of making the piece interactive by getting other people's ideas for the story or having people decide the symbols for each part of the story.

Here is some of my research

TOTEM POLES
OF THE GREAT NORTHWEST

The first totems were carved from mature cedar trees and used in the Potlatch ceremonies of families-clans of the Pacific Northwest, primarily Alaska and British Columbia. They were carved to represent the emblem of the family as a reminder of its history.

A totem is carved and placed at the front entrance of the family longhouse to honor its ancestors, the clan's standing, rights and accomplishments, to record a memorable ceremony or record a spiritual experience. A totem pole is a symbol of the qualities, experience and exploits of the clan.

The totem carvings tell a story, revealed only if one knows the meaning assigned to various animals, fish, birds and designs and where they are placed on the pole. There were a number of reasons why a particular figure or design was chosen by a clan. The connection between the clan and the various figures carved into the pole may have been as a result a special gift from the animal, fish or bird spirits. Or, there may have been a recent encounter with that figure. Some clans claimed to be descended from certain totem figures.

The meaning of many totem poles is lost with time. Even some of today's totem polescan not be understood except from one person - it's owner. Understanding the symbolism and stories hidden within the totem pole is more than a simple exercise in learning the attributed meanings of the figures. It is possible to know the meaning assigned a figure by the people of the Northwest, but it is not always possible to know its significance to the over-all story.

Totem figures are not Gods. Totems are not worshiped like religious icons nor used as a talisman. They were never used to ward off evil spirits and claims of bizarre, magical "totemism" practices are fiction. A totem pole may be compared to the symbolism portrayed in the Great Seal of the United States or a Coat of Arms. These national emblems are roughly equivalent to the meaning bound up in a totem pole except they identified clans not an entire nation.

Totem poles are carved today by both native and non-native people. They have become a highly valued art form and a symbol of pride and tradition for the people of the Pacific Northwest.

We invite you to discover the wonderful stories and wisdom contained in totem poles. To learn more about totem poles, visit excellent internet resources:




SYMBOLS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
Northwest


BEAVER Creative, Artistic and Determined

BEAR Strength, Learned Humility, Motherhood, Teaching

BUMBLEBEE Honesty, Pure Thinking - Willingness and Drive

COPPER Wealth and Prestige

DOGFISH Persistence and Strength - A Born Leader

DOVE Love, Gentleness and Kindness

DRAGON FLY Ever-changing Life

EAGLE Great Strength, Leadership and Prestige

EAGLE FEATHER Good Luck to Both Giver and Receiver

FROG Spring & New Life - Communicator, Stability

HALIBUT Life protector, Strength and Stability

HAWK Strength Far Sighted

HERON Patience, Graceful and Easy Going

HUMMINGBIRD Love, Beauty, Intelligence, Spirit Messenger

KILLER WHALE Traveler & Guardian - Symbol of Good

KINGFISHER Luck, Patience, Speed and Agility

LOON Peace, Tranquility - Generous Giving Nature

MOON Protector and Guardian of the Earth by Night

OTTER Trusting, Inquisitive and Bright - Loyal Friendship

OWL Wisdom

RAVEN Creation & Knowledge - Bringer of the Light

SALMON Dependability and Renewal - A Provider

SEAL Bright, Inquisitive, Organized

SUN Healing Energy, Guardian of the Earth by Day

THUNDERBIRD Powerful & Mystical - A Leader

WOLF Intelligence & Leadership - Strong Sense of Family