Why we do what we do......

This project is ALL about the STORY.  We need to start with a good story in order to achieve something wonderful.  You luck out having characters there already created for you, leaving you to FOCUS on the STORY line.  So you better have a GOOD story.

If you are already done with your comic-I want you to create another one, this time you can create one using your own topic and idea but be sure to have a clear Beginning, Middle and End to your story. 

You will be presenting these to me on Facebook and then sharing them with the class on Friday in class.  These are due on Friday-No exceptions. 

Pixton Access

If you are having a hard time getting in you may go this route and log into it using my educational site.  This may help some of you.  If you got in on your own, keep going with it.  This is for anyone having difficulties. 

Back to the Grind!

TODAY :

*I will be checking your comic ideas one by one.  I want to see that it has substance and that it is developed enough for you to turn it into an actual comic strip using stills. 

*But before I check your ideas I will be showing you exactly how you will be turning these into actual comic strips.  We will be using a FREE program online called Pixton

PIXTON-CLICK HERE!

 

Here is what your comic must include:
     - 5-6 frames
     - You are telling me a story that has a clear beginning, middle and end.
     - You should have some sort of punch line or that one liner hook idea that will
        make your comic memorable.
     - At least 1 character
     - A background that fits your story
     - A text box in each frame
     - A prop that fits your story somewhere in the comic strip
     - Each frame must show significant motion changes within your characters
     - You need to have different size widths for your panels (at least two different sizes)
     - You need to show very clear expressions in your characters.  Play with the
        expressions mode and make sure they match you comic strip story.
     - You need to have a unique character (meaning it should be different then the
        preset characters that already exist in Pixton)

Now you will each come over to my desk show and type in your email address and show me your comic strip story for approval.

This should be a fun assignment.  Have fun with it and try to come up with a funny or catchy idea to share with the class.

Thanksgiving Break

Over your Thanksgiving Break you will have 2 assignments.

 ASSIGNMENT #1:

As you did in class yesterday with our writing assignment-you will be creating 5 more mini writing topic ideas.  It took us about 10 minutes to write one, so this should not take you too long.  In those 5 mini writing topic ideas you should have:

*Main Topic/Idea that first comes to your mind
*A list of descriptive words that describes your main idea
*A mini story that entails a Beginning, Middle and End using your main idea and your descriptive words. 
Optional:* Write down a Question that your viewers may have while reading your story. 
Optional:* Come up with a punch line or a memorable one liner to go with your story.

The more detail you add the more this will help you in creating GREAT/Memorable stories in the future.  Don't let yourself down here- these are beginning skills that you need to build upon. 

ASSIGNMENT #2:

Comic Strip:  You will be given a middle of a comic idea.  Then you are to come up with a beginning and an end to the comic.  I will pass out your ideas in class.  Look at the following example.  I would love to see some sketches of how you can portray your idea in a picture format like you see below.

Filmmaking

Let's get the film reals rolling!  I know this is what a lot of you have been waiting for and so have I.  We need to start with some basics:

STORYTELLING

This is THE MOST important thing when it comes to creating a movie.  If you don't have a good Story that is worth telling then you will lose your viewer and you too will lose interest.  So lets learn how to do just that.  Let's first take a look at my 6 year old son's picture of telling a story that he did in his kindergarten class last week.

SO WHAT DO YOU NEED IN A STORY:

BEGINNING

MIDDLE

END 

For a High School level here is a more detailed flow chart of what your story's should include:

And now a video on tips to remember when creating a story:

Click here to see how you can get your Idea Muscle working!

DUE FRIDAY

Yearbook Front and back as well as your Banner's are due tomorrow.  You have all been informed of this for awhile so there are no exceptions.   

 BEWARE:

You will lose 2 points on each one for each day that they are late. 

Yearbook & Banner's due this week

Great vision/start for a Yearbook Design by: Jennifer Kovarik:
       *Simplistic
       *Not busy
       *She is not done, but she shows a lot of potential here.
       *Color theme-background is hidden imagery
       *Text shows outer glow and uniqueness 

Yearbook/Banner

Today and tomorrow you will be working on designing a Yearbook cover/Back cover (if you finish work on your banner as that is due sometime next week too).  The yearbook is worth a 50 point grade for me.  Keep in mind all of the interesting things that we talked about when we talked about your banners.  In order to make it a good composition you need to  remember the following:

 HOW CAN YOUR DESIGN BE DIFFERENT THEN ANYTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE? 

I know we have gone over these things before, but please read through them all.  I added lots of other important information. Thanks guys:)

1. Unclutter/clean area-
          Think about how you want your area to look.  Do you want to have everything in line and neat looking?  You need to have a master plan, you can not go at this blindly. (look up other yearbook ideas on the internet and see what you can use/borrow from other designs)

2. Balance- Sometimes it is nice to have some blank white space in a layout, but too much white space is not interesting.

3. Think about dividing the page into thirds-you will have more visual appeal

1. most important elements spaced more or less evenly within vertical or horizontal thirds
2. most important elements concentrated in the upper or lower third of the page
3. most important elements centered on one of the points where lines intersect after visually dividing the page into thirds horizontally and vertically

4.Think about using 2 or more of the same design elements (example: if you decide to use circles as part of your background, use multiple circle design elements) 

5.Think about your color choice.  And your text choice-remember no more then 2 texts per page design layout.  I would probably stick with 1 for this assignment  (All text needs to show effects, it will make it pop and look more interesting).

6. What kind of photo or image do you want to have and will you draw it out, take a picture yourself or draw it out in Photoshop?  Think about how you want to lay this out. (example:Lasso, clone, square border with drop shadows, etc.)  You need to think about this before you begin.

7.  Think about size relationships.  You do not want everything to be the same size, so what is going to be the largest and smallest?  Think this through and experiment with it.  

Banner's a few more days

Banner's are coming along nicely.  We have a few more days of working on them.  So if you are behind you have a lot of work to do.  PLEASE SEE ME IF YOU NEED HELP!  That is what I am here for. 

REMEMBER:  These banners should represent Vermilion and the students within.  DON"T LOSE FOCUS!

Things you will be graded on: