Thoughts on MED150

MED150 definitely needs more class time. It should take as long as ARTLA101, which is the introduction class for art students; it is about 6hrs per week. I feel that if people have never used photoshop or final cut pro before, they would feel more comfortable with more practice and less stressed about learning a new program in a short amount of time. Also, these seminars which are given outside of class time SHOULD be part of class time. I was familiar with all the programs used this semester and did not learn anything new outside of the lectures. Perhaps, this class should introduce a couple of advance techniques or effects and have the students incorporate it in their productions.

One Card None Card

This short was made by Simon and me. Enjoy


ID cards are people too. This is a movie about how the Hunter College One Card feels about being swiped too much; ESPECIALLY since those controversial turnstiles were installed.

Museum of Moving Image

During my visit to the Museum of Moving Image, I participated in a couple of demos. Since the lady at the front desk recommended starting in the top floor and work my way down, the first interaction I had with a new media was in the Real Virtuality exhibition. There, I spent my time as Hanuman exploring a virtual world. Although it was fun to move in three dimensions, the control was difficult to handle; it was shaped like a circular mouse.

Gripping it was awkward and the directions of how to use it did not match the movement of the character on the screen. A more successful experience I had was in the animation area where I got to make my first stop motion animation. Experiencing it alone was very educating; it showed me how careful and patient I have to be in order to create stop motion animations. I knew before hand that stop motion animation was hard work; but doing one myself put things in perspective. The most important thing that I discovered during this experience was the set up. The way the museum had set up the stop motion desk allowed for a smooth work flow.

The camera was fixed so that it cannot be moved; basically, everything besides what is being animated cannot move. Simply move a few pieces, press the button to capture a frame, and repeat until completion; very easy.

Moving image technology has obviously progressed significantly throughout time.

Video games went from being bulky, huge, 8 bit systems to compact and realistic looking.

Also, as the systems get smaller, the screens we experience them on gets bigger.

Perhaps one day, it would reach to be as big as an alternative world or environment for the gamer, making the screen obsolete. Experiencing moving image began from using only one of our senses: the visual; then audition. Now, it seems that we are exploring tactition in every level. Moving images are now commonly controlled by hand; but in cases such as “RMB City”, they are controlled by our feet.

The visual experience is also experiencing an evolution as 3D glasses are being put to use more and more.

Moving image technology is a field that has experienced much growth. But, as media makers get more creative and innovative, its progress will only continue to soar.

Film Plans

My team plan to personify the Hunter ID card--displaying what it experiences throughout the day. It will be a dark humored short that begins at the subway station. We will show how the ID card is used instead of the Metrocard when swiping at the turnstiles. We will then continue showing unfortunate events occurring for this item. Specifically: entering Hunter College through its own turnstiles, buying food in the cafeteria, printing, putting money in the card, buying snacks at the vending machine, etc. After all these events, it will be obvious that the ID card is overused and the ID will commit suicide as it cannot take another day of this torture.

Campus Movie Fest

My team and I made a movie for this year's Campus Movie Fest, check it out!

Stamp Art

For this project I wanted to make a statement about preserving the endangered art of letter writing and the decline in handwritten documents. I aimed to evoke the warm feeling of a thoughtful hand written letter; especially between people who have generation gaps. I wanted to inspire improvement in penmanship within civilians in the 21st Century and hoped to interest others in the art of calligraphy.

Image 1

Image 2

Image 1 is the original version of my concept. Personally, I like it more than the one altered according to the critique. The critique took out a lot of the symbolism and wanted it to become more literal. Some of the points made were: the baby probably isn't able to write yet; the writing, though is pretty to look at, would be better if it can be read a little, etc.

I would have been okay with the second, more literal version if there were images available that worked as well as the images in the original. I feel that the dynamics and composition, though similar to the original, isn't as effective in the second one. It completely disturbed the balance between positive and negative space; leaving it with more negative thus making the composition seem in need of more content. The relationship of the elder and the child in the second version also seem less within reach and appear farther away from each other. This can be an advantage as it can suggest the only way they are keeping a healthy relationship is through letter writing.

Photoshop Exercise: Mr. Potato Head