Creative writing Workshop

This workshop was about finding ways to describe and write about something in a way that involves the reader. We had to write a few texts each regarding different things.

The first was about something that is dear to us or and experience that changed us, I decided to write about my first sketchbook. After in groups of 3 we wrote a short story about a mysterious creature in the night, that we had to resume in 10 words in the next assignment. At then end in a group of 4 we read some texts and then created a mood board for a longer story. After that we started writing the spooky story however we did not have the time to finish.

Performances

This workshop was carried by Ross Mullan to try and understand the movement of the body and how to act simple characters.

At the beginning we played some icebreakers games such as “Zip Zap Boing” and then we started with some easy acting. After some warming up we split into two groups and had some activities. At the end we had to act two scenes of choice and my group decided to involve the tutor too in both. The workshop was fun and I learned how to plan a scene in a short amount of time with a big group.

Scratch on film

As an introduction of scratch on film we watched some animation that were made with this technique, such as “A Color Box” directed by Len Lye made in 1935 and “Synchromy” directed by Norman McLaren in 1971.

A Color Box

Synchromy

Scratch on film can also be called drawn on film, which is a technique that does not require camera and in which the animator draws directly on the film.

After the introduction we were given a part of film stock and some tools to scratch figures. After scratching the animation we went to a room that had a special projection in order to see the final result.

Relief-printing Workshop

During this workshop we learned how to created stamps and letterpress. The stamps were basic shapes carved on linoleum by using the same technique as linocut. This last is a printmaking technique. A design is cut into the linoleum surface with a sharp knife, V-shaped gouge, with the uncarved areas representing a reversal since it is a mirror image of the parts to show printed. The linoleum sheet was then inked with a roller that is called brayer, and then we used a machine that impressed the stamp onto paper or fabric.
After the stamps we did letterpress printing. This is a technique of relief printing using a printing press, a process by which many copies are produced by repeated direct impression of an inked, raised surface against sheets or a continuous roll of paper. The first ones where simple shapes and then we used already existing letters in order to try and letterpress those.

Sketchbook Workshop

This was a workshop right before starting life drawing classes. We walked to Southbank, which is the centre of London and in groups we sat in the zone and drew what we saw. Some were using pencil or pen and some were using more complex media such as watercolour, pastel and markers.

My group sat close to the entrance of the “park”, in front of the London Eye and trees. At the end of the workshop we all regrouped to show our sketches to the other students from the animation course. The tutors placed all the sketchbooks on the floor so that everyone could see. At the end we analysed some sketches and talked about how everyone drew the same scenario in different ways.

Photogram Workshop

During this workshop we learned how to print negatives by using the darkroom. At the beginning the tutor explained the safety procedures and the objective of the workshop. Right after that we started creating our own photograms and each one of use chose objects that where in the room. I chose a film negative, a light bulb and a round object. In the left picture there are four different tests in order to understand the best lighting for the final picture. The picture on the right is the final photogram I printed.

After understanding photograms we were given some negatives and we had to chose the one we liked the most in order to print it. I chose a negative that represented a park with a structure on the left side.
At the end of the workshop I stayed in the darkroom to try out different technique and objects fro photograms added to an existing negative (see top photograph in the first picture) because I thought of using photography for my “This is me!” analogue animation.

This is me! Animation Planning

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Photography Workshop

Workshop date: 27 October 2016

During this workshop we learned how to use a SLR (single-lens reflex camera) camera and the different steps in order to zoom, focus ad change the film. This is a type of camera that uses a mirror and prism system that allows the photographer to see through the lens and see exactly what will be captured. However after taking the picture the photographer is not able to see the result until the picture is printed. The task was to go outside in groups of twos and take 36 pictures in total.

It was hard to find something interesting in the streets close to university since we couldn’t see the pictures we were taking. Also the camera my teammate and me were using jammed almost halfway through the task, so we decided to walk with another group. During the next photography workshop we will be able to print the pictures we took today.