Flash, Art & play

Ever since Max Fleischer invented the rotoscope artists have been exploring ways to trace live action movement, frame by frame, for use in animation. Originally, pre-recorded live-film images were projected onto a matte windowpane and redrawn by an animator. This projection equipment is called a rotoscope. Inspired by a series of Web-based Flash rotoscope projects by The Chemical Brothers in 2002 I have been playing around with producing similar animations using Flash software.

This first clip is called play:

The kids are former students of mine. They were videotaped at play and inspirations for the Flash project. Using Flash to create rotoscope animation and motion graphics was a lot like playing, too. To create play I used three digital video clips, broke the clips a part into frames, and imported each frame into Flash. Then, I used the Trace Bitmap feature to create the frame-by-frame animation. I did not have time to draw over each frame like in the old days. However, I did layer the rotoscopes with shape tweens and masks.

The term "rotoscoping" (typically abbreviated as "roto") is now generally used for the corresponding all-digital process of tracing outlines over digital film images to produce digital mattes. This technique is still in wide use for special cases where techniques such as bluescreen will not pull an accurate enough matte. Rotoscoping in the digital domain is often aided by motion tracking and onion-skinning software. - wikipedia

I also created a Flash motion graphics intro for my DAY Program web site. Here it is:

I forgot to add the Flash intro to the web site but it was fun making it. I used what I learned to create an intro for my online portfolio.

My next project is creating a Flash rotoscope animation based on Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison. This time I plan on drawing to trace each frame.

Some cool films that use rotoscope to check out:
The Secret of NIMH (I liked this as a kid)
Waking Life
A Scanner Darkly (coming soon)
Star Wars
Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Advanced Podcasting

It's been a while since my last posting. I've been very busy teaching college-level visual language and multimedia authoring. Also, I've been coordinating and teaching extra-curricular technology workshops at MassArt. I did squeeze in some time to make some art and learn new software, specifically Podcast Maker by Potion Factory. I am looooving Podcast Maker because it's so easy to use but instead of selling the product (only $30) I want to share what I've learned about enhanced podcasting and why I think it's a great educational tool.

If you don't know what podcasts are check out Apple's podcast page. Podcasting is the hot thing to do and it's not going anywhere soon. Since my first foray into podcasting (see My Own Video Podcast) I have been looking for a way to simplify the process. Recently, Apple reps came to the job to show us how podcasting worked. Stanford University has been making inroads with Apple and produced a web site and "hub" for podcasts (audio, video, enhanced). Stanford on iTunes offers faculty lectures, interviews, music, and more. You can view or listen for free through iTunes. We thought it was a great idea and even more so after Apple loaned us some video iPods to play with. Feeling time was of the essence I leaped into enhanced podcasting.

Enhanced podcasts are AAC encoded audio files (m4a or m4b, m4p) with new data inside them that can be time based, like an image or a URL to appear at a certain time. I thought it would be great if I could record my students' brief presentations and add their images to the audio. Using a mini-disc recorder I captured the audio and their assignment was to create PDF presentations of their work/research using Adobe Photoshop. The Apple rep told us about Podcast Maker, so I downloaded it and gave myself a day to learn it. I needed less than that.

Also, Apple, the "mother of the podcast" has been beta-testing an application called "Chapter Tool". To read more about this check out Mac Daily News.

Here's a basic podcasting tutorial: Super Fantastic Ultra

There is 3-minute video tutorial linked on the Podcast Maker page. This tutorial is a bit more complicated: How to Make Enhanced Podcasts

My experiment with Podcast Maker worked even though Potion Factory tells me I have a "mime-type" problem with my server. I'm so excited! One of the reasons I am so into enhanced podcasting is because it allows me to capture the moment and document my students' progress. I can archive the presentations for future classes, too.

Another possible idea is to incorporate digital storytelling and use the technology to present mine and other people's stories. This takes traditional storytelling beyond the passive medium of audio or video. Urban (and suburban) griots and artists will be able to collaborate even more.

Finally, below you will find the link to the podcast I created for my Visual Language course (through Studio Foundation). The podcast consists of 4 student presentations that include audio and slideshows of their first assignments. To subscribe to the podcast:

1. Launch iTunes
2. Go to the Advanced menu and choose Subscribe to Podcast
3. Enter this link: http://portal.nettrice.us/podcast.xml
4. Click OK










When playing the "enhanced" podcast you will see a chapter button near the Search field that will allow you to navigate chapters from each presentation.

Enjoy!