The name of the game!

I have the ABBA song ringing through my head, had to find it on youtube.  Why? we now have a name for our game!

From all the associated words that I had brainstormed my panel of 32 high school pupils selected their top 3 names for our game.

Photo Duty
Graphic Pursuit
Snaps Academy

My personal favourite is Snaps Academy (I am biased as this was my suggestion).  Thank you to Liam and Issac for the other two suggestions.

The one that pipped the others to the post was..... SNAPS ACADEMY! Woohooooo! So our baby is named.

Next stop... a logo....

Back to school!

Back to our tutorials at Holy Cross this evening.  I was great to see everyone but the catch up felt a little rushed in that this is the only session with our tutor (and the much required Project software), before our submission next week.

Iain ran through the brief again giving us the opportunity to ask any niggling questions.  The main thing I got from the Q&A was that the submission is a documnet only.  PDF format.  Therefore all ambitions of creating an animated presentation and design board can be shelve, freeing up- more time to really nail the pitch document writing! PHEW!

Most of this is written now, published on the blog, with some articles yet to be go live.  As such the creation of the documnet itself should be fairly straight forward, copying and pasting our existing texts and images.

Next is tackling the GANTT chart, neither Becky nor I have this software on our computers so I am completeing the charts this evening using Microsoft Project on the college PC, populating the fields from all the dates in my notes.

Job Description - Clare

Production Manager : Job description

The Production Manager is involved with the planning, coordination and control of the production processes.

The Production Manager ensures that the product is produced efficiently. It is their responsibility to ensure production is on schedule and within budget.

The scope of the job depends on the nature of the production: Film, News Report, TV Drama, Documentary, One off Special, Light Entertainment as well as the nature of the industry: TV, Film, Web Design, Graphic Design, Corporate Video, Brand Development.

Black and Pink Productions are involved in several types of production, adding to the complexity of the job. Our Production Manager is responsible for both human and material resources.

Typical work activities

Tasks typically involve:

·         overseeing the production process, drawing up a production schedule;

·         ensuring that the production is cost effective;

·         making sure that products are produced on time and are of good quality;

·         working out the human and material resources needed;

·         drafting a timescale for the job;

·         estimating costs and setting the quality standards;

·         monitoring the production processes and adjusting schedules as needed;

·         being responsible for the selection and maintenance of equipment;

·         liaising among different departments, e.g. Heads of Departments, Designers, Clients,
        Directors (1st ADs on larger productions), Human Resources, Union Representatives,
        Cast and their representatives.

·         ensuring that health and safety guidelines are followed;

·         supervising and motivating a team of workers

Our Production Manager is involved in both the pre-production (planning) stage, production and post-production stage. A large part of production management involves dealing with people.  Production Managers are also involved with product design and purchasing. We are a small firm and Production Manager may have to make many of the decisions yourself, but on larger productions we may appoint Executives, Producers, Operations Managers, Accountants, Engineers, and Production Assistants who will offer both guidance and assistance.

Essential knowledge and skills

Production Managers must have highly developed communication skills, and be able to work effectively with all members of the production team, and with actors, other contributors, and members of the public. The Production Manager needs to understand the technical processes involved in production as well as know how to ensure that all the necessary licences and clearances have been obtained, and how to comply with regulations relating to liability and indemnity.

Production Managers should have up-to-date working knowledge of the relevant UK union and/or broadcaster regulations and agreements and the legal requirements regarding working hours, driving hours and the duty of care towards personnel. The Production Manager should also know how to access information about, and comply with, corresponding regulations and agreements in other countries.

Key Skills include:

·                     initiative and problem solving skills;

·                     diplomacy and sensitivity;

·                     resourcefulness and the ability to troubleshoot;

·                     advanced analytical skills;

·                     budgeting and financial skills;

·                     excellent verbal and written communication skills;

·                     precise attention to detail and methodical approach to work;

·                     excellent organisational abilities;

·                     ability to conceptualise ideas;

·                     IT skills, and knowledge of the relevant computer packages;

·                     current knowledge of the relevant legislation, regulations, and associated 
                       procedures, including Copyright, Data Protection, Public Liability, etc. and how to
                       comply with regulatory requirements;

·                     knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and
                       procedures.

Training and qualifications

Current Health & Safety and First Aid qualifications are essential for the role of Production Manager.  A degree in a media related or specialist subject may provide some useful background information.  Wide experience in, and knowledge of, the production process and relevant IT software is essential.  Successful completion of specialist courses in Production Management is desirable but not essential.

Completed Sea Scene

Finally completed one of the sea scenes, added colour makes it so much more effective and i am really pleased with the result. the hours of work and back ache have finally paid off!!!

CV - Clare

Another part of our first submission is to complete a CV, so here is the link to my updated CV click here.

Graphic Design – cwaterfalldesign.com – 2000-Present

Web design – Safecell Fire & Security, Matt Wright Camera, Manc Floyd, Vice Versa Studio, Clare Waterfall Photography & CWaterfall Design, Black and Pink Productions.

Brand development - Vuebox

Graphic Design - Mr Snatch (The Party) author Paul Wasdell, The Man Who Walks With Ghosts - Simon Entwistle, Bob Darwin’s World Tour – Brighton & Manchester Comedy Festival, Promotional animation – Solefood Shop

Illustrator – You can’t call a hedgehog Hopscotch author Frances Nagle (Dagger Press)

Cover Supervisor – Bowland High – September 2009-Present

Freelance Production Assistant – Big Tank Productions Ltd – 2004-Present

Photographer – clarewaterfall.com – 2001-Present

Photographers Assistant – S K Poynter, Matthew Seed, Chris Wallbank – 2001-2006

Production Runner

Lab Rat Productions 1998

Double Life & Reform - Van Boys and Daddy Fox 1999/2001MMA – 2002/3

MUTV – 2005/6

Scadderbrain Productions 2006

Staff Scheduler - 3sixtymedia, ITV - March 06 – August 2009 

Projects and Claims Executive - Esure Insurance -  April 04 – March 06

Office Manager - Tribal GWT - May 02 – July 03                         

Training

·       Microsoft Office – Word, Excel Advanced, Access, Powerpoint, Outlook, Visio

·       Multi-Media Technology - Holy Cross College, Bury – BSc Multi-Media Technology (Leeds Met) – September 2009-Present

Hobbies and Interests

·       Blogging – weddings, photography, motherhood

Skills Audit - Clare

Skills Audit

Production Manager – Having worked as a Production Assistant, Scheduler, Co-ordinator and Assistant Producer I have much experience of managing projects, forecasting, planning and working to deadlines.  I have experience of sourcing and managing cast and crew, completing call sheets and risk assessments with knowledge of working hours and drivers hours directives.  I can envisage the whole project and break it down into manageable chunks, appointing times and tasks to the best resources.

Researcher – Experience of research.  I am very resourceful, having a background in a number of industries I have built up a broad network of contacts.  These contacts have proved extremely useful on many projects, not only for obtaining information but also for sourcing experts, locations and authority to film.

Photographer – Although the majority of my work is wedding and portraits, my background is in Production Photography.  This includes continuity and documentary photography.  I can apply these skills to our projects, cutting costs and foregoing copyright issues. For examples see http://www.clarewaterfall.com/

Music & Audio – We have a licence to use the Audio Network library, through our parent company Big Tank Productions.  I have experience of post production audio, using Adobe Soundbooth. 

Web Design – I have designed and created a number of websites, mainly through a user interface such as Moonfruit, Blogger and Wordpress. I have also created a site solely in Flash and am currently learning Dreamweaver.  The designs are clean and simple, I am not a fan of clutter, they are also designed to be easily navigated.  For examples see http://www.cwaterfalldesign.co.uk/

Graphic Design – I have a small portfolio of commissions for promotional posters and most recently my first brand, this included logo design, posters, letterhead, web banners, business cards etc.  I work in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.  I was also commissioned to design and produce a promotional video for a fashion retailer, using After Effects.

Our freelance crew – From my background at ITV and subsequent freelance work, I am fortunate to work with some of the country’s best talent Camera Crew, Lighting Directors, Sound Recordists, Audio Mixers, Producers, Directors, Presenters, SFX Graphics, Editors, Vision Mixers, Engineers, Writers, Electricians, Make Up and Costume Artists.  While we have experienced in-house crew, there may be specialist jobs that we would consult or appoint one of our partners.

What is the game called?

I have brainstormed a few names for the game, will run it by the kids at school, see what they think!

Character Idea

Unsure of how this would be done but the player could decide what character they wish to be may be from a choice of 3 or possibly build your own... i will run this by Clare see what she thinks!

Abstract Super Hero Portraits Created With Splattered Paint - DesignTAXI.com

Abstract Super Hero Portraits Created With Splattered Paint - DesignTAXI.com

Minutes - Tuesday 6 Sept 2011

After a long break a meeting was arranged to catch up and plan. It's quite scary how organised one individual can be, not putting myself down in the slightest and i have impoved since having Ellis, but boy had Clare been planning!!!! An agenda had been set for the meeting... which had already been posted on the blog... this woman means business ha!

After catching up and going through the work we have been working on so far, which coincidently we have been working on 2 completely separate parts. Clare - the games and myself - the functionality ( what will be seen while getting to the game) both vital parts, the agenda was followed.

Name Ideas - we left this one until last and decided to brain storm names over the following week to bring with us to the meeting next week

Re-visit Pitch Requirements - we spoke about what was needed for the hand in 4/10/2011 and a couple of points were raised that we need to speak with Iain about-

Draft Overview - As we need to speak to Iain to clear up a few points it has been decided to do this week commencing 26/9/2011

Key Selling Points/Purpose/Delivery Method - These are taken from the brief. We discussed the various purposes our game has- to inspire the user about the art form and to inspire creative interest. An additional delivery method for our game is that it could be issued to schools (fingers crossed!)

Items to work on - Clare and Becky to compile list so that these can be entered into Gantt Chart on return week commencing 26/9/2011. Becky suggested one chart for the whole project monitored by the both of us but with 3 colours, one for each of us and a different one for the both of us combined. Clare then suggested in keeping with the theme black and pink (Clare being Black and myself Pink)

Skills Audit and Job Spec as individuals - it was decided this would be done in the meeting 13/9/2011 but briefly Clare- Games Designer, 3D Graphics Producer. Becky- Brand Developer, Graphics and Functionality Producer.

Illustrate how the product will function and look- Clare had the idea of producing a brain storm of print outs of the work done so far and then producing a slide show decribing how each will function as sort of a 'what does what'

Photograph for website- Becky had to break the news that her Pink Glasses had gone for repair so this has been put on hold :-(

FOR NEXT WEEK -

Clare to keep working on the games aspect and Becky the scene images.
Both to brainstorm name ideas for the game
Both to draft notes to complete the skills audit and job spec
Print out images for Design and Conceptual work
Becky to provide images of previous work so these can be added to the website - JPEG Format

FOR 27/9/11-

Continue working on separte aspects of the game
Clare and Becky to have list ready for Gantt Chart
Draft notes to complete Overview /selling points/ purpose/ delivery method

OTHER POINTS CONSIDERED BRIEFLY-

Sound, Animation, activity page for the children to collect and colour their own photos collected while exploring

How will the game function?

Here is the map of how the game will be laid out and the stages that the user can move between.

Sea Scene

I created the above image using the pen tool in photoshop. My next step is to add colour.

Agenda for meeting 06/09/11

Meeting 17:30 at Waterfold Farm, Bury, to catch up with individual progress and plan the next few weeks activities.

1/ Work done over summer

2/ Name ideas

3/ Re-visit pitch requirements

4/ Draft overview

5/ 3 Key selling points

6/ Delivery Method

7/ Items to work on

- A time plan, such as a Gantt Chart (for all team members, for the whole project)

- A skills audit, job specification & CV (for each team member)

- Design and conceptual work that clearly illustrates how the product will look and function

- photograph portraits for website
  

Notes- while I think about it

1) mountain scene
2) night scene - location?
3) grad on countryside
4) flash gun 3D model
5) lens 3D model
6) waterproof housing 3D model
7) battery 3D model
8) flash card 3D model
9) sketches for details in games e.g. Trees, birds, fish, flowers, sandcastles, shells
10) jungle scene
11) frame for menu, intro and links etc
12) portraits for wesbite
13) name for game/ project
14) update Gantt chart

Think that's it for now. The floodgates have opened after a dry spell!

Seabed design

This is most recent version of the seabed design for one of the games.

It is by nowhere near ready, but it's time to cook tea and my eyes are going square!

Seabed version 4

Beachscape

Beachscape version 5

Beachscape version 3

This is the most recent version of the beachscape created in Photoshop. I used the pen tool to create paths for the waves. The horizon was just a rectangle shape that I have bent slightly with twirl, just to give it a more cartoony feel.

I then added a gradient to both the beach and the sky. I think it adds depth, makes the image more tangible, well as tangible as a cartoon by a novice can be.

Designs for the games' background theme

Test of graphic styles for game backgrounds.

Using the countryside background I have played about with some variations on a theme.

I have shortlisted my faves to 1, 4, 5 & 6, but wanted to put it out to test on other eyes to see what peeps think.

Please have a look at the attachment and see which you prefer, if you could put your 6-14 year old hat on when viewing these as they are the target audience for the game. Many thanks!!

Whichever the fave is, I will redo a wee bit sharper, prob put a grad on the hills, but still keep it simple.

Photoshop - replace colour tutorial

Found this wonderful tutorial that very simply shows how to replace a colour using the 'Replace colour' tool in Photoshop.

http://simplephotoshop.com/photoshop_tutorials/replace_colorf.htm

Another here for the colour replacement tool.

Two different methods, going to test out both to find which method is better for specific tasks.

Tweaks to the game viewfinder

I have had another look at the viewfinder graphics, this is the frame that will be used during each game.

I have added a little shade to the arrows. The object is not 3D, it never is in a camera, but thought it added a bit more eye candy. I did this using the 3D effect in Illustrator. 6 degrees on the X axis, 1 degree on the Y and Z at 0.

Using again Illustrator effects, I gave the viewfinder a friendly appeal with the bloat effect, set at 3.

I have placed an image in it to show you how it will appear with the games... beady eyes will spot this is a screen grab from Angry Birds... not my work, but certainly one of the games on my inspiration board!!