Another early start today, but this time I was well on top of the situation and all it took was a little planning and preparation.
Officially speaking today was panic day. Sue and Enza had a lot to arrange and organise and only a few hours to do it in as the exhibition opens early tomorrow night.
My duties for today not only got my clothes terribly dirty it also exhausted me physically and mentally. The morning's work was fairly simple move so stands around for the television sets to be placed on, number a collection of paintings and collect the titles and lastly go around the floor and lay out black tape to hide the white masking tape from the dark sections of the installation.
The boxes the televisions are to go on are just coloured chip board so they were light. I moved them into position fairly quickly and moved on to task 2.
Sue had her drawing class come in so I worked away from them covering up the white tape with black tape. It was easy enough, precision work but fairly simple. The down side was that it took a lot out of me having to bend down and shuffle around the floor. Thank goodness for the knee pads.
After I did a few sections I had to leave the job for reasons of the bladder. On my return I was asked to number and title the paintings. The paintings were done by a man named Jack Freeland, who for some reason currently unknown to me he painted with his mouth. Some of the paintings were quite interesting others weren't, but it is like that with most things. I counted 63 paintings of assorted subjects from landscape to animals and seasonal greetings.
I moved back on to my taping task once that painting labelling job was finished. While I had been working else where Enza had been working on the other side of the room doing the black tape work so when I came back down there were only a few sections left to do. I finished the roll of tape off which meant I had to find other work to do.
I spent the rest of the day doing other jobs like arranging the televisions this took a lot of time and energy because it needed to look right for the presentation but it also needed to be set up so the DVD players and televisions were close to the power points.
I finished the day there because it was time to go home.
Working again tomorrow the next post will hopefully more coherent then this one
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
Lightwave 7
After the "delights" of last class I made a return to the lab the following day to have another try at the 3D kitchen assignment.
For the most part it was easy I had to remember to save often and check my point counter ever so often.
The danger of working in demo mode is that you are only allowed 200 points. This restricted some of the possibilities and complexities of my creations, but through the restriction I found creative freedom.
I found thinking in simple shapes to be the best solution and I am most pleased with how my sink turned out. The taps I originally thought were going to be the biggest challenge but with my exceptional mind I was able to make a representation of a sink with taps and it looked convincing. Brendan was very impressed when I showed him.
For today’s class I had a spoon, knife and a grater to finish off. The spoon I thought of as a strangely shaped tiny frypan. the greater resembles something I seen on TV once but could just as easily be mistaken for a flyswatter. The knife was my surprise for the day. I impressed myself with my big mean looking cleaver it may have been a little cartoon-ish but I liked it, in fact I liked it so much I stuck it in the wall.
I surprised Stuart when I asked how to use Lightwave. The Lightwave program comes in 2 sections, the first part Modeller where as the name suggests the models are shaped, next is Lightwave where the animation happens. So what I was really asking was how do I use the animation section of the program suite?
The big change to the other half of the program is that when moving the objects that the coloured arrows have special meanings too. Red is left and right, blue back and forth and lastly green which is up and down. Each relates to a particular axis X,Y and Z.
I found dressing the set to be fairly simple once I got used to adjusting the sizes and figured out how to move everything properly.
As this is an arts course the presentation of the finished work is also important. Handing the works up to be graded in a standard CD or DVD case will earn a pass. I decided to try something a little different. I got some graph paper and wrote out the appropriate information on it like name and the project name and on the back cover reversed what I wrote. Writing backwards is hard I don’t know how I managed to do it so well when I was younger. I finished by decorating the spine with a series of black lines to represent an object in the side view.
When I handed it in I got a laugh which is a good sign especially when there are dozens of other expressions and gestures that could have been used instead.
Next week I need to bring in a picture of a landscape with a lot of flat space because we move on to assignment 2.
For the most part it was easy I had to remember to save often and check my point counter ever so often.
The danger of working in demo mode is that you are only allowed 200 points. This restricted some of the possibilities and complexities of my creations, but through the restriction I found creative freedom.
I found thinking in simple shapes to be the best solution and I am most pleased with how my sink turned out. The taps I originally thought were going to be the biggest challenge but with my exceptional mind I was able to make a representation of a sink with taps and it looked convincing. Brendan was very impressed when I showed him.
For today’s class I had a spoon, knife and a grater to finish off. The spoon I thought of as a strangely shaped tiny frypan. the greater resembles something I seen on TV once but could just as easily be mistaken for a flyswatter. The knife was my surprise for the day. I impressed myself with my big mean looking cleaver it may have been a little cartoon-ish but I liked it, in fact I liked it so much I stuck it in the wall.
I surprised Stuart when I asked how to use Lightwave. The Lightwave program comes in 2 sections, the first part Modeller where as the name suggests the models are shaped, next is Lightwave where the animation happens. So what I was really asking was how do I use the animation section of the program suite?
The big change to the other half of the program is that when moving the objects that the coloured arrows have special meanings too. Red is left and right, blue back and forth and lastly green which is up and down. Each relates to a particular axis X,Y and Z.
I found dressing the set to be fairly simple once I got used to adjusting the sizes and figured out how to move everything properly.
As this is an arts course the presentation of the finished work is also important. Handing the works up to be graded in a standard CD or DVD case will earn a pass. I decided to try something a little different. I got some graph paper and wrote out the appropriate information on it like name and the project name and on the back cover reversed what I wrote. Writing backwards is hard I don’t know how I managed to do it so well when I was younger. I finished by decorating the spine with a series of black lines to represent an object in the side view.
When I handed it in I got a laugh which is a good sign especially when there are dozens of other expressions and gestures that could have been used instead.
Next week I need to bring in a picture of a landscape with a lot of flat space because we move on to assignment 2.
Monday, 10 September 2007
Work placement 4
Today got my off with a start.
I awoke to find a message on my phone asking me to get West Footscray station for 7:45 to meet Sue so she could take to the exhibition site.
This sent a panic through my system, I moved faster then I have this morning then I have most mornings for a very long time.
I replied to Sue's message stating that I wouldn’t be able to make it to the station in time. Big mistake the bus I caught not only got me to the station in time, it got me there almost 5 minuets early. After a few change overs I got to the second meeting place, the food court at Highpoint where both Sue and Enza were meeting and discussing the plans for today.
My first job on site was simple enough, sort and arranges the clothes hangers into an interesting pattens and shapes within the designated work space. I made a few interesting shapes and designs. Keeping it symmetrical was tricky as I didn't have as many simple wooden hangers as I would have liked or enough coloured hangers to give the design a visual variety. After a little trial and error the end result turned out looking pretty good.
The next task was a way for me to contribute and create a piece for the exhibition using cardboard boxes and plastic bags. For those who have seen the donation bins or the back rooms of the second hand shops these are common sites. The only 2 directions I had been given were make it high and don’t block out the window. After some creative stacking of the boxes and some gap filling with the various bags task 2 was complete.
In context of the exhibition and the ordered shapes and forms of the most dominating piece, my cardboard and plastic creation is the "unseen" back room chaos.
I was warned though that because of the nature of the installation process if a more practical idea or use for the bags and boxes comes to mind that the work could be partially or completely changed or removed. So it was in my best interest to take some pictures early.
Hopefully it stays for the exhibition.
The guide strings used as preliminary measurements before the sections were outlined in tape were due for removal. It was very physical work and had to be done delicately. I could not disturb the finished sections, or if I did I had to put it back to the original condition as soon as I was done. There was a lot of bending fortunately the ladies had knee pads for that kind of work for me to use. The pads helped a lot, awful to walk in but they made the job more comfortable.
My last few tasks for the day were setting up the television sets with the DVD players. It wasn’t hard for the most of it. A little trouble some with the last set though. As the televisions were all of various makes some needed special plugs so that the DVD players could be plugged in. Unfortunately there wasn't enough to go around. After asking for some help I learned that I had to tune the DVD player into the TV. Once I knew what to do I was fine.
I've had to tune tvs in for a number of personal entertainment reasons. Most of those reasons were video games though and occasionally VCR’s too but not very often.
A side job I had to do was help carry over some of the PA equipment. With the hand trolley it made the job easy. The big wheels rolled up the steps and across the gravel easily.
Well that was my work day how was yours?
Next post some time Wednesday night or later on, it just depends on how I am feeling.
I awoke to find a message on my phone asking me to get West Footscray station for 7:45 to meet Sue so she could take to the exhibition site.
This sent a panic through my system, I moved faster then I have this morning then I have most mornings for a very long time.
I replied to Sue's message stating that I wouldn’t be able to make it to the station in time. Big mistake the bus I caught not only got me to the station in time, it got me there almost 5 minuets early. After a few change overs I got to the second meeting place, the food court at Highpoint where both Sue and Enza were meeting and discussing the plans for today.
My first job on site was simple enough, sort and arranges the clothes hangers into an interesting pattens and shapes within the designated work space. I made a few interesting shapes and designs. Keeping it symmetrical was tricky as I didn't have as many simple wooden hangers as I would have liked or enough coloured hangers to give the design a visual variety. After a little trial and error the end result turned out looking pretty good.
The next task was a way for me to contribute and create a piece for the exhibition using cardboard boxes and plastic bags. For those who have seen the donation bins or the back rooms of the second hand shops these are common sites. The only 2 directions I had been given were make it high and don’t block out the window. After some creative stacking of the boxes and some gap filling with the various bags task 2 was complete.
In context of the exhibition and the ordered shapes and forms of the most dominating piece, my cardboard and plastic creation is the "unseen" back room chaos.
I was warned though that because of the nature of the installation process if a more practical idea or use for the bags and boxes comes to mind that the work could be partially or completely changed or removed. So it was in my best interest to take some pictures early.
Hopefully it stays for the exhibition.
The guide strings used as preliminary measurements before the sections were outlined in tape were due for removal. It was very physical work and had to be done delicately. I could not disturb the finished sections, or if I did I had to put it back to the original condition as soon as I was done. There was a lot of bending fortunately the ladies had knee pads for that kind of work for me to use. The pads helped a lot, awful to walk in but they made the job more comfortable.
My last few tasks for the day were setting up the television sets with the DVD players. It wasn’t hard for the most of it. A little trouble some with the last set though. As the televisions were all of various makes some needed special plugs so that the DVD players could be plugged in. Unfortunately there wasn't enough to go around. After asking for some help I learned that I had to tune the DVD player into the TV. Once I knew what to do I was fine.
I've had to tune tvs in for a number of personal entertainment reasons. Most of those reasons were video games though and occasionally VCR’s too but not very often.
A side job I had to do was help carry over some of the PA equipment. With the hand trolley it made the job easy. The big wheels rolled up the steps and across the gravel easily.
Well that was my work day how was yours?
Next post some time Wednesday night or later on, it just depends on how I am feeling.
Wednesday, 5 September 2007
Work placement 3
In a strange way I got what I wanted, a very quick reply to a job opportunity. While the position wasn’t what I originally wanted I feel as though I won’t get any where in life if I am fussy and try and pick what help and opportunities I get from people.
Basically if I want help I have to take all of what is offered or none at all, and I see it in the same way for opportunities, until I can effectively read into the future I’ll keep jumping on as many opportunities that come my way as I can possibly manage.
For my placement I am working as an artists assistant, as far as I can tell all this means to me at the moment I do as I am told which doesn’t make it much different to any other job I have had.
Today I was sorting clothes out for the installation piece and stacking them into piles to be part of the arrangement. With so many second hand possessions around it feels kind of strange, all the things were precious to someone and as soon as they stopped being useful they were given the arse (given away). Some things there like the knitted scarves would have taken a lot of time and effort and for them just to end up as second hand shop merchandise is kinda sad.
Still it is better that they be passed on to charity with the potential to be used again then just put into the general garbage.
For the time being I have 3 full days of work Monday, Panic day and second panic day. In normal people terms that is Monday 10, Wednesday 12, Thursday 13 and a few more days later on to be decided possibly including gallery sitting and the de-installation.
Right now the exhibition is looking like a collection of second hand memories.
Basically if I want help I have to take all of what is offered or none at all, and I see it in the same way for opportunities, until I can effectively read into the future I’ll keep jumping on as many opportunities that come my way as I can possibly manage.
For my placement I am working as an artists assistant, as far as I can tell all this means to me at the moment I do as I am told which doesn’t make it much different to any other job I have had.
Today I was sorting clothes out for the installation piece and stacking them into piles to be part of the arrangement. With so many second hand possessions around it feels kind of strange, all the things were precious to someone and as soon as they stopped being useful they were given the arse (given away). Some things there like the knitted scarves would have taken a lot of time and effort and for them just to end up as second hand shop merchandise is kinda sad.
Still it is better that they be passed on to charity with the potential to be used again then just put into the general garbage.
For the time being I have 3 full days of work Monday, Panic day and second panic day. In normal people terms that is Monday 10, Wednesday 12, Thursday 13 and a few more days later on to be decided possibly including gallery sitting and the de-installation.
Right now the exhibition is looking like a collection of second hand memories.
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
Lightwave 6
What a shit of a day.
Technology, can't work with it, can't pass without it.
Technically speaking today has been one problem after then next.
I came in early to get a start on the kitchen project only to find the computer with my exercises on it has been locked, some illegitimate glow worm (bright bastard) had put a password on the computer, worse then that they made it so that I cannot get in to retrieve my work from other computers on the network. The tech team was not much help, he tried the password combinations I had already tried without any luck and will get around to resetting it later on.
So I've moved to another system this one works at its own pace with the widgets, popping up at will and the windows shrinking down into a group view, the mouse responds poorly and if it wasn’t for the cost of replacement I think I would have ruined it by now.
Now back to the work some of the project tutorials are easy enough to follow others are not. The video started talking about welding without showing where the function is hidden or a shortcut key(s) to use it. Later on I found it in another video as control w.
Some of the software problems encountered are my own fault such as not making enough knife cuts on the polygons to properly control the movements simple objects like bowls and plates are quite nice and easy to make.
A circle shape from the disc or ball tool, some extruding and bevelling and a quick tidy up with the tab key makes something shaped like something you'd eat off.
I am really looking forward to getting back on to MM13 the controls work, my work is there and... Hell I think I'd save myself a headache if I just went and made the project out of Lego I'd use clay but I'm not up to getting grubby right now these issues have sucked the fun right out of me and have left me not feeling my usual self.
On the plus side I'm not as sick as I was and should be back on my feet without a blocked or runny nose or that "delightful" cough.
This project is due next week expect an update then.
Technology, can't work with it, can't pass without it.
Technically speaking today has been one problem after then next.
I came in early to get a start on the kitchen project only to find the computer with my exercises on it has been locked, some illegitimate glow worm (bright bastard) had put a password on the computer, worse then that they made it so that I cannot get in to retrieve my work from other computers on the network. The tech team was not much help, he tried the password combinations I had already tried without any luck and will get around to resetting it later on.
So I've moved to another system this one works at its own pace with the widgets, popping up at will and the windows shrinking down into a group view, the mouse responds poorly and if it wasn’t for the cost of replacement I think I would have ruined it by now.
Now back to the work some of the project tutorials are easy enough to follow others are not. The video started talking about welding without showing where the function is hidden or a shortcut key(s) to use it. Later on I found it in another video as control w.
Some of the software problems encountered are my own fault such as not making enough knife cuts on the polygons to properly control the movements simple objects like bowls and plates are quite nice and easy to make.
A circle shape from the disc or ball tool, some extruding and bevelling and a quick tidy up with the tab key makes something shaped like something you'd eat off.
I am really looking forward to getting back on to MM13 the controls work, my work is there and... Hell I think I'd save myself a headache if I just went and made the project out of Lego I'd use clay but I'm not up to getting grubby right now these issues have sucked the fun right out of me and have left me not feeling my usual self.
On the plus side I'm not as sick as I was and should be back on my feet without a blocked or runny nose or that "delightful" cough.
This project is due next week expect an update then.
Tuesday, 28 August 2007
Lightwave 5
Still sick but I did some work.
Today’s class was a dedicated city trip especially to go and see the special winter exhibition at ACMI the Pixar show. After being greeted at the door with a massive lamp and ball from some of the group’s early works it was straight to business, purchasing a ticket to go inside.
The show itself was quite nice show a little of everything covering early animations to stills and storyboards from the new film. Perhaps this sample of everything was what let it down instead of focusing strongly on only a few projects.
It was interesting to see the models and drawings around for a group that is largely known for working in 3D computer animation. It makes sense that there is going to be a lot of paper used in the work for drawings, rough sketches and character developments instead of going straight in to the 3D software blindly without any ideas of what is coming up next, or even how it relates to the rest of the project in terms of continuity.
Basically it was about 5 stages in development before they works were fully rendered, ranging from rough drawings, to coloured pastel works and then lastly a 3D object or location. I'd imagine that at any stage that these could be cut form the story too as they no longer fit with the main themes or ideas of the project.
The artist they have working with them were amazing with one of the sculptures being born in the 30's and others in the 60's and 70's. Age doesn't matter only how well you do the job by the look of things, which I think might be a good attitude to have with employees, except that means that you'd also be employing their ego too. I hope egos don’t need a separate pay of their own.
With that I'm off track and out of here
See you in a week.
Today’s class was a dedicated city trip especially to go and see the special winter exhibition at ACMI the Pixar show. After being greeted at the door with a massive lamp and ball from some of the group’s early works it was straight to business, purchasing a ticket to go inside.
The show itself was quite nice show a little of everything covering early animations to stills and storyboards from the new film. Perhaps this sample of everything was what let it down instead of focusing strongly on only a few projects.
It was interesting to see the models and drawings around for a group that is largely known for working in 3D computer animation. It makes sense that there is going to be a lot of paper used in the work for drawings, rough sketches and character developments instead of going straight in to the 3D software blindly without any ideas of what is coming up next, or even how it relates to the rest of the project in terms of continuity.
Basically it was about 5 stages in development before they works were fully rendered, ranging from rough drawings, to coloured pastel works and then lastly a 3D object or location. I'd imagine that at any stage that these could be cut form the story too as they no longer fit with the main themes or ideas of the project.
The artist they have working with them were amazing with one of the sculptures being born in the 30's and others in the 60's and 70's. Age doesn't matter only how well you do the job by the look of things, which I think might be a good attitude to have with employees, except that means that you'd also be employing their ego too. I hope egos don’t need a separate pay of their own.
With that I'm off track and out of here
See you in a week.
Tuesday, 21 August 2007
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