The following pages contain detailed instructional explanations of Studio ideas, thoughts, techniques, and processes used in the construction of artwork and media products.
CONTACT
Don Bergland redjello@shaw.ca
STUDIO PRODUCTION DETAILS
VIDEO PRODUCTION - IDEAS - By Don Bergland
This site provides a detailed presentation of the Studio processes used in the construction of the video, Ideas.
The idea for this project extends back to Tuesday, April 20, 2010. I was keeping a Journal in an entirely different format at that time (Blogger). At this time, I was working on another video production called, I Live In My Head. This was a complex animation that showcased how my head is my primary working Studio.
On Wednesday, May 11, 2011 (over a year later), I remembered some of the ideas that were present when building this video. I thought that I should construct an animation which focused on the way I currently work in the studio:
- I think of Idea 1. I develop it a bit and then put it away.
- I think of Idea 2. I work on it for a bit, and then out of it comes Idea 3.
- I put Idea 2 away and spend some time with Idea 3.
- And then, Idea 4 comes along. I put away Idea 3 and start focusing on Idea 4.
- Idea 4 reminds me of Idea 2. So I put away Idea 4, and bring out Idea 2.
- But then I see how Idea 2 and Idea 3 can be related, so I bring them both out and combine them, creating Idea 5.
- I spend some time developing Idea 5, but then think of a modification which I call Idea 6.
- I put away Idea 5 and start working on Idea 6. But then I remember some of the good things about Idea 3.
- I bring out Idea 3 and put away Idea 6.
- But before I can actually bring Idea 3 out, I have an inspiration, which I call Idea 7.
- I decide that this is a really good idea, so work on it for a while.
THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2010
The key here is what kind of animation (2D or 3D)?
But, as I explained on the 20th, this idea itself has fallen into the very structure I seek to explicate!!
Maybe it is important, therefore to get a version done of the video idea I brought forward last night:
The first thing to do is construct a script.
VIDEO SCRIPT
When people think that studio production is a nice linear process, with each project developing in a nice sequential way, from inspiration, through production, to final product, I feel a bit melancholy and wistful...
1.
Ideas come to me very easily.
2.
I think of an idea, and start eagerly developing it.
1
3.
And then, I think of another idea, which seems better, more exciting.
2
4.
I put away the first idea, and start work on the new one.
5.
I start refining and developing it.
6.
But after a short time, a new idea comes to me.
3
7.
Now this one seems really good.
8.
So, I put away the second idea, and start work on this new one, the third one.
9.
Things go along very nicely, until suddenly, I think of another idea.
4
10.
Wow. Now this one is really profound.
11.
I put away the old idea, and start work on this profound one, the fourth idea.
12.
I get really involved in this one. But then, I can see a really interesting variation.
5
13.
This variation is much better than the original, so I put the fourth idea away, and start work on this new variation, the fifth idea.
14.
This variation is brilliant and I work hard on it, until suddenly, I remember an idea that I had yesterday. Now that was something really significant. I quickly put away idea 5. I'll work on it later. Now, it is important to develop that new idea, idea 6.
6
15.
This is what I should have been working on all along. But wait a minute. I suddenly think of combining ideas 1 and 3, and what the outcome would be. It would be fantastic.
1, 3
16.
I put away idea 6, and bring back ideas 1 and 3 and combine them. Amazing.
17.
I begin developing this idea, working through the steps necessary to finalize a product, but then......fade out
18.
(maybe a text note saying - a number of years later) - the visual is absolutely crowded with items.
19.
This idea springs into my head, and I immediately drop everything and start work on it, I think this is idea 1,307.
20.
But, as I start pushing this idea around, suddenly a new one appears, idea 1,308.
21.
But wait, this would work really well combined with idea 948, so I get idea 948 out of the archive, and you know, it fits exactly with this new idea, idea 1,308.
22.
So, I start integrating them until I remember idea 406 which is a much more dynamic idea.
23.
But, this is getting a little boring, but it doesn't matter, because I've just had another thought, idea 1,309. Now we're getting somewhere. I'm going to get a cup of coffee and come back and I'm going to give this new idea my full attention.
Pathetic, isn't it! It's like a big board game, that just goes on, and on, and on. So, maybe this is the visual I should use - a large game board, with a variety of sculptural pieces on it.
In order to make this actually happen, I have to do the following:
1. Create an audio track (narration)
2. Create the visual environment (large board game with pieces)
3. Figure out the animation (probably Poser-based still images would work best)
Note - I should download a copy of Final Cut Express and see if this is a better program for constructing video than iMovie.
But first, I'm going to see if I can construct an environment for the video I am currently working on.
VIDEO PROJECT - IDEAS
1.
I'm going to try and construct a visual set for the Ideas Video. I want this to be fairly simple, yet capable of schemaic and graphic instruction and representation.
Maybe a game board with Cyclorama, good lighting, and a number of objects which could symbolize ideas. Or, should I create a single object with different mapping capabilities, but which are numbered? Maybe this should be rendered in one of the Preview graphic formats?
2.
I'll start a Project Folder for this StudioArchive/Video/31-Ideas.
3.
I'll launch Poser and open a file with the correct lighting and basic set design. I'll open #1211-Mood Room/darkroom03,pmd.
4.
I need to change this to a video 16:9 proportion. So, I'll set the Preview Dimensions to 1280 x 720.
5.
I'm going to duplicate the floor and walls a few times so as to extend the environment. I'll insert a few sets of bookshelves along the wall, and introduce some objects (symbols for ideas).
This is probably developing in the manner I want. I should get a more focused light on the center of interest (the current project). I also need to get a list of the objects so I can easily bring them in and get them out of the environment.
6.
This is currently saved as ideas01.pmd. I'm going to save it as ideas02 and see if I can get a stronger light in the lower right corner.
This is better, but I wonder if it should be more to the left.
7.
I'm going to work out an object list for the items currently occupying the set:
1.
CardboardBox
2.
Dryer
3.
Oilcan
4.
Column01
5.
Plant
6.
Boiler
7.
Column02
8.
TubaBell
9.
PaintCan
10.
Iron
8.
I'm going to move all objects off stage (to the left) (X Tran turn to left) and leave the CardboxBox in the central spot.
I think most of the actual transitional work will take place in Photoshop. All I need from the 3D set is the following:
1. Idea 1 in place
2. Idea 2 in place, Idea 1 in background
3. Idea 3 in place, Ideas 2 in background
So, only two positions are required - "central" and "put away." I can add all text commentary and labelling in Photoshop.
The video itself has two sections, Early and Late. The Late section requires a very full environment. All shelves full. So, maybe I'll construct this second half and save it as ideas03.pmd.
9.
I tried to bring the studio representation up a few years to where there were thousands of incomplete ideas littering the space.
Maybe at this point, I should just begin taking renders and get the images ready to go.
10.
Actually, it would be good to have a circus podium to place the current idea on. I wonder if I can find one.
I couldn't find a good podium, so I used the top of a column. I don't know whether I like it or not.
But, maybe it does a better job of defining the current idea. I think I'll leave this out. If doesn't allow multiple showcasing of 2 or more objects.
11.
I should work out the construction parameters for the script I wrote above:
1.
01
Empty
2.
02
Idea 1 in place
3.
03
Idea 2 in place, Idea 1 off to side
4.
04
Idea 3 in place, Idea 2 off to side
5.
05
Idea 4 in place, Idea 3 off to side
6.
06
Idea 5 in place, Idea 4 off to side
7.
07
Idea 1 & 3 back in place, Idea 5 off to side
8.
08
Later - 1,307 in
9.
09
Later - 1, 308 in, 1,307 off to side
10.
10
Later - 948 in to combine with 1,308
11.
11
Later - 406 in, 948 & 1,308 off to side
12.
12
1,309 in, 406 out
So, I would need these 12 renders in order to be able to add graphic elements in Photoshop (text, labels, arrows, etc.).
FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2010
VIDEO PROJECT - IDEAS CONTINUED
12.
I'm going to render the final images for the video. I'll store these in a Renders folder.
I have created 2 different Poser source files for this:
- ideas02 - From 1-7
- ideas03 - From 8-12
1.
01
Empty
2.
02
Idea 1 in place
3.
03
Idea 2 in place, Idea 1 off to side
4.
04
Idea 3 in place, Idea 2 off to side
5.
05
Idea 4 in place, Idea 3 off to side
6.
06
Idea 5 in place, Idea 4 off to side
7.
07
Idea 1 & 3 back in place, Idea 5 off to side
8.
08
Later - 1,307 in
9.
09
Later - 1, 308 in, 1,307 off to side
10.
10
Later - 948 in to combine with 1,308
11.
11
Later - 406 in, 948 & 1,308 off to side
12.
12
1,309 in, 406 out
13.
So I messed up the first attempt. I'll either have to go back and re-render, or change the script.
I better bring the script forward (from yesterday) in order to make the coordination more accurate.
VIDEO SCRIPT
When people think that studio production is a nice linear process, with each project developing in a nice sequential way, from inspiration, through production, to final product, I feel a bit melancholy and wistful...
1.
Ideas come to me very easily.
2.
I think of an idea, and start eagerly developing it.
01 to 02
3.
And then, I think of another idea, which seems better, more exciting.
02 to 03
4.
I put away the first idea, and start work on the new one.
03
5.
I start refining and developing it.
03
6.
But after a short time, a new idea comes to me.
04
7.
Now this one seems really good.
04
8.
So, I put away the second idea, and start work on this new one.
04
9.
Things go along very nicely, until suddenly, I think of another idea.
05
10.
Wow. Now this one is really profound.
05
11.
I put away the old idea, and start work on this profound one.
05
12.
I get really involved in this one. But then, I can see a really interesting variation.
06
13.
This variation is much better than the original, so I put the current idea away, and start work on this new variation.
06
14.
This variation is brilliant and I work hard on it, until suddenly, I remember an idea that I had yesterday. Now that was something really significant. I quickly put away the present idea. I'll work on it later. Now, it is important to develop that new idea.
07
15.
This is what I should have been working on all along. But wait a minute. I suddenly think of combining ideas 1 and 3, and what the outcome would be. It would be fantastic.
08
16.
I put away this idea, and bring back ideas 1 and 3 and combine them. Amazing.
17.
I begin developing this idea, working through the steps necessary to finalize a product, but then suddenly think of something new, something a little better than what I have been working on....
18.
(maybe a text note saying - a number of years later) - the visual is absolutely crowded with items.
19.
I can work on this a little later. So this idea springs into my head, and I immediately drop everything and start work on it, I think this is idea 1,317.
10 to 11
20.
But, as I start pushing this idea around, suddenly a new one appears, idea 1,318.
12
21.
But wait, this would work really well combined with idea 948, that idea I had the other day, so I get idea 948 out of the archive, and you know, it fits exactly with this new idea, idea 1,308.
13
22.
So, I start integrating them until I remember idea 406 which is a much more dynamic idea.
14
23.
But, this is all getting a little boring, but it doesn't matter, because I've just had another thought, idea 1,319. Now we're getting somewhere. I'm going to get a cup of coffee and come back and I'm going to give this new idea my full attention. But wait a minute, I've just had a new idea. Now this is really interesting.....
15 to 16
14.
I'm getting a little confused in trying to synchronize the renderings and the script. Probably the best thing at this point would be to get the images in some kind of sequential program and try reading the script.
15.
I put all the rendered images into a PowerPoint presentation and then went through the images while reading the script. It works out. There are many additions that need to be added in Photoshop, but I have the 16 core images.
16.
I installed all the rendered images in a Master Photoshop file - Master.psd and saved this in the Renders Folder. The Layer Palette will work as a good tool in turning images off and on, so I can coordinate with the script.
I am not going to use iMovie for this production. I want to try to use Final Cut Express. I don't have a copy of this, so I'll have to try and use a downloaded Trial version (if it allows full usage).
Note - I spent at least 30 minutes at the Apple site looking for a trial download of FCE. No deal!
I may have to use FCP for this production (Horrors!!)
Now, what is the best thing to do at the moment:
- record the script?
- produce the transitional images?
While it's quiet in the house, I should probably record the script. Note - I left the equipment in the trunk of my car, so I'll have to go out and get it.
17.
I set up the Zoom microphone near the computer and brought the script on to the screen. I recorded the script.
I offloaded the audio file to a Desktop Folder (53 MB). I'll open this in Audacity and preview it.
Note - It is certainly easier to record directly into Audacity. Using the Zoom Recorder involves so many extra steps.
18.
I spent some time going through the audio track and editing it (Normalizing sound, cutting out bad sections, removing long silences, adding Fade Ins and Fade Outs).
I exported the track as both an .mp3 and a .wav file and put them in the folder. This voicetrack seemed to be okay, so I'll pack up the recording equipment and call this part finished.
I need to find a good Royalty-Free music track to lay under this.
- iTunes/RoyaltyFree01/32-RoyaltyFree032
- iTunes/RoyaltyFree01/32-RoyaltyFree034
- iTunes/RoyaltyFree01/32-RoyaltyFree039
- iTunes/RoyaltyFree01/32-RoyaltyFree050 - Hmmmm.
- iTunes/RoyaltyFree01/32-RoyaltyFree052 - Good one.
- iTunes/RoyaltyFree02/7-The Jazz Night
These Royalty Free tracks seem built on a structure (set beats, silence, start again). It might be possible to reconstruct these to fit the stop, start nature of the voicetrack. Or, I could actually cut and mix some of these tracks!
Do I complete the track first, or now try to develop the transitional images in Photoshop?
Since all the images are now in a .psd file, I think I will start with the part of the project first.
Tomorrow will have to be the day for this.
SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2010
VIDEO PROJECT - ##31 - IDEAS - CONTINUED
19.
I'm going to continue with this project I started yesterday. I'm going to start by developing the transitional images in Photoshop.
This will be a very tight integration with image and audio track. I'll have to set up the audio track so it can be easily played and stopped while I work through the layers in Photoshop.
I'll have to very carefully name each new layer that is created and make sure that that new name appears in the script below:
When people think that studio production is a nice linear process, with each project developing in a nice sequential way, from inspiration, through production, to final product, I feel a bit melancholy and wistful...
0
Black Space
00
0
Title - Ideas
01
0
Credit - Don Bergland
02
1.
Ideas come to me very easily.
04
2.
I think of an idea, and start eagerly developing it.
05, 06
3.
And then, I think of another idea, which seems better, more exciting.
07
4.
I put away the first idea, and start work on the new one.
08, 09
5.
I start refining and developing it.
6.
But after a short time, a new idea comes to me.
10
7.
Now this one seems really good.
8.
So, I put away the second idea, and start work on this new one.
11, 12
9.
Things go along very nicely, until suddenly, I think of another idea.
13
10.
Wow. Now this one is really profound.
11.
I put away the old idea, and start work on this profound one.
14, 15
12.
I get really involved in this one. But then, I can see a really interesting variation.
16
13.
This variation is much better than the original, so I put the current idea away, and start work on this new variation.
17, 18
14.
This variation is brilliant and I work hard on it, until suddenly, I remember an idea that I had yesterday. Now that was something really significant. I quickly put away the present idea. I'll work on it later. Now, it is important to develop that new idea.
19, 20, 21
15.
This is what I should have been working on all along. But wait a minute. I suddenly think of combining ideas 1 and 3, and what the outcome would be. It would be fantastic.
22
16.
I put away this idea, and bring back ideas 1 and 3 and combine them. Amazing.
23, 24
17.
I begin developing this idea, working through the steps necessary to finalize a product, but then suddenly think of something new, something a little better than what I have been working on....
25
18.
(maybe a text note saying - a number of years later) - the visual is absolutely crowded with items.
26, 27, 28
19.
I can work on this a little later. So this idea springs into my head, and I immediately drop everything and start work on it, I think this is idea 1,317.
29, 30
20.
But, as I start pushing this idea around, suddenly a new one appears, idea 1,318.
31
21.
But wait, this would work really well combined with idea 948, that idea I had the other day, so I get idea 948 out of the archive, and you know, it fits exactly with this new idea, idea 1,308.
32, 33
22.
So, I start integrating them until I remember idea 406 which is a much more dynamic idea.
34, 35
23.
But, this is all getting a little boring, but it doesn't matter, because I've just had another thought, idea 1,319. Now we're getting somewhere. I'm going to get a cup of coffee and come back and I'm going to give this new idea my full attention. But wait a minute, I've just had a new idea. Now this is really interesting.....
36, 37
I finished creating all the images - 37 in total. Before taking the time to start coordinating them with the soundtrack, I would like to have the soundtrack complete. This means music under the voice and enough space at the start for the title and credit screen (about 8-10 seconds).
20.
I have some good Royalty Free tracks stored in my iTunes Library. These Royalty Free tracks seem built on a structure (set beats, silence, start again). It might be possible to reconstruct these to fit the stop, start nature of the voicetrack. Or, I could actually cut and mix some of these tracks!
I need to access the voicetrack and each of the Royalty Free tracks and try them out before making a commitment to Audacity. I can do this by using iTunes for the Royalty Free tracks, and yesterday's Journal entry for the voicetrack.
So, I'll set this structure up and work my way through it until I have a good fit:
RoyaltyFree01/32-RoyaltyFree032
RoyaltyFree01/32-RoyaltyFree034
RoyaltyFree01/32-RoyaltyFree039
RoyaltyFree01/32-RoyaltyFree050
Hmmm
RoyaltyFree01/32-RoyaltyFree052
Good one.
RoyaltyFree02/7-The Jazz Night
One thing I have to do is find a video editing program to make this work. I guess I could try the new iMovie.
I spent some time playing with the new iMovie09 and it is a piece of junk!! The only thing I am left with at the moment is my copy of Final Cut Pro (which I dislike immensely).
iMovieHD, a program I have been using effectively until now, has suddenly developed a real problem. The transitions are not working properly. In addition to adding the actual transition, it lowers the light value of the clip, darkening it at the same time. This provides a real choppy effect to the end result. I'm mystified as to why this is happening.
I do have an old copy of After Effects 7.0. I wonder if I could make this work?
I played with After Effects and this program is not going to give me what I want. I have one last resort. I can try using iMovieHD on the older Mac in my studio. I should transfer some files over and see if the transitions work on this Mac.
Tomorrow.
SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2010
VIDEO PROJECT - ##31 - IDEAS - CONTINUED
21.
I'm going to test iMovie on my older studio computer. I'll first copy the finished images (FinalImages) to a USB Drive and transfer them to the Desktop of computer 2.
I set up iMovieHD and imported some image clips.
I set up the transitions and they seem to work just fine. This is good news. I'll use this machine to produce the final edited version of the movie.
Note - iTunes still seems to crop the image. What appears is smaller than the produced version.
22.
First, I need to complete the audio track. I'm going to set up the Desktop structure (Website/iTunes) and work my way the Royalty Free Tracks until I have found what it needs:
I think I should set up the headphones for this.
RoyaltyFree03/3-Carolina
RoyaltyFree03/21-Jack
RoyaltyFree03/32-Forgive Us
RoyaltyFree03/37-Top Hat
Okay
RoyaltyFree01/32-RoyaltyFree032
RoyaltyFree01/32-RoyaltyFree034
RoyaltyFree01/32-RoyaltyFree039
RoyaltyFree01/32-RoyaltyFree050
Hmmm
RoyaltyFree01/32-RoyaltyFree052
Good one.
RoyaltyFree02/7-The Jazz Night
Okay
RoyaltyFree01/54-RoyaltyFree054
This one has the most unusual effects
23.
There are a large number of tracks that would easily work well in this context. I could be here for a long, long time if I don't make a decision quickly.
I going to use the following track:
- RoyaltyFree01/54-RoyaltyFree054
24.
I'll launch Audacity and import the music track and the voice track. I'll start editing these so they integrate.
This is sounding okay at this point. I might have to reduce the volume on the music a bit. I also want to add some interesting sound effects at strategic points. I believe I gathered some construction SFX when I was working on a previous video (30-Deconstruction). I moved the SoundEffects folder into this current Project Folder.
25.
I went to Pond5 and found a good heavenly harp sound (as if an idea is occurring).
I purchased this and imported it into the Audacity project.
26.
I am finding that most of the imported clips are far too loud. I am using the Envelope Tool to take down the volume.
27.
I spent time constructing specialized tracks for:
- construction sequences
- moving the idea
28.
I spent several hours building this and getting appropriate sound elements woven into the narrative.
I'm going to call this finished for now.
29.
I'll create a complete visual and audio folder to take over to the old studio computer for editing.
30.
I launched iMovie and imported all image and audio files.
31.
I'll use the following chart to help me coordinate the images with the audio.
0
Black Space
00
0
Title - Ideas
01
0
Credit - Don Bergland
02
1.
Ideas come to me very easily.
04
2.
I think of an idea, and start eagerly developing it.
05, 06
3.
And then, I think of another idea, which seems better, more exciting.
07
4.
I put away the first idea, and start work on the new one.
08, 09
5.
I start refining and developing it.
6.
But after a short time, a new idea comes to me.
10
7.
Now this one seems really good.
8.
So, I put away the second idea, and start work on this new one.
11, 12
9.
Things go along very nicely, until suddenly, I think of another idea.
13
10.
Wow. Now this one is really profound.
11.
I put away the old idea, and start work on this profound one.
14, 15
12.
I get really involved in this one. But then, I can see a really interesting variation.
16
13.
This variation is much better than the original, so I put the current idea away, and start work on this new variation.
17, 18
14.
This variation is brilliant and I work hard on it, until suddenly, I remember an idea that I had yesterday. Now that was something really significant. I quickly put away the present idea. I'll work on it later. Now, it is important to develop that new idea.
19, 20, 21
15.
This is what I should have been working on all along. But wait a minute. I suddenly think of combining ideas 1 and 3, and what the outcome would be. It would be fantastic.
22
16.
I put away this idea, and bring back ideas 1 and 3 and combine them. Amazing.
23, 24
17.
I begin developing this idea, working through the steps necessary to finalize a product, but then suddenly think of something new, something a little better than what I have been working on....
25
18.
(maybe a text note saying - a number of years later) - the visual is absolutely crowded with items.
26, 27, 28
19.
I can work on this a little later. So this idea springs into my head, and I immediately drop everything and start work on it, I think this is idea 1,317.
29, 30
20.
But, as I start pushing this idea around, suddenly a new one appears, idea 1,318.
31
21.
But wait, this would work really well combined with idea 948, that idea I had the other day, so I get idea 948 out of the archive, and you know, it fits exactly with this new idea, idea 1,308.
32, 33
22.
So, I start integrating them until I remember idea 406 which is a much more dynamic idea.
34, 35
23.
But, this is all getting a little boring, but it doesn't matter, because I've just had another thought, idea 1,319. Now we're getting somewhere. I'm going to get a cup of coffee and come back and I'm going to give this new idea my full attention. But wait a minute, I've just had a new idea. Now this is really interesting.....
36, 37
32.
It took a fair amount of time, but I finished a draft copy.
33.
I'm going to Export this as "Ideas.mov" at 1280 x 720. I'll also create a smaller version for this Journal (700 x 394).
Things didn't go exactly as I planned, but it worked out. I'm not quite sure about the audio track. I think the voice might be a bit overpowered by the music and sound effects. I'll have to reflect on this.
I'll have to listen to this a bit before determining whether I am going to publish this on YouTube.
34.
I'm going to leave the Master Video files on the old computer Desktop, in case I have to rebuild this with a modified soundtrack.
I'll bring a copy back to the Project Folder on this computer.
35.
I listened to the final project on the large computer. The "ding" sound effect in the audio track is definitely too loud. So, I'll have to go back to the main audio file, reduce the volume on this, make a new .wav file, and re-install it in the iMovie file.rpn
36.
I went through the master audio file and lowered the volume of the "ding." I'll move the file back over to the old computer and re-install it in the iMovie editing file.
37.
I completed a finished version for the Journal.
38.
Now, should I publish this to YouTube?
I should probably get information I used when I published my last YouTube video (April 25, 2010).
Oh So Long - Don Bergland (1:59). Description - A Vintage Tubamentary showcasing the Care and Maintenance of a BBb Tuba. Tags - don bergland, tuba, music, imagination, creativity, studio, art, art studio.
This one will be:
Ideas - Don Bergland (4:06). Description - An examination of the myth that studio production is a nice linear process, that moves from inspiration, through production to a final product. Tags - don bergland, ideas, studio process, imagination, creativity, studio, art, art studio.
