Final Project

There are 3 posts filed in Final Project (this is page 1 of 1).

Final Project Update 2: Methods/Setup

Previously I was working on collecting screen recordings and thinking about how I can make use of the inbuilt screen recording function on Quicktime to capture my working process. I was quite comfortable with the approach, until I started using Periscope more after the micro-project we did on it a few weeks ago. I enjoy using Periscope quite a lot, because the function of Periscope addresses the “live broadcast” aspect of the project.

As discussed with Randall, I will be incorporating both Periscope and the screen recordings as part of my project. My work process is active both online and offline, so I think it will be necessary to include both aspects of it, rather than limiting myself to one channel. The next phase of my project will look at how I can incorporate both Periscope and screen recordings. So I might use a split screen function for this or something that allows me to screen two types of broadcast. Periscope videos can be viewed online, so there won’t be an issue for me to screen my live broadcast together with my on-screen process.

I would call my project a work in progress of a work in progress. The process of making my work is important and I enjoy opening up my process to others. I don’t think the nature of my work is very obscure, that the concept would be difficult for others to grasp, but I sometimes struggle with explaining my work because I think of my work as a big mind map: there are separate ideas that are linked with each other. For example: writing > illustrating > collecting > remixing. By broadcasting my process, I am highlighting each little concept as I work on it by actually showing (instead of explaining) my work.

As mentioned in my last project update, I find it useful to incorporate the use of Periscope because of the interactive elements of the app. I like the ongoing, immediate response from my audience although I haven’t figure out how to reply to comments live. It’s a bit tricky anyway since I’m drawing. I told Randall about this and he suggested that I can communicate with them via paper: I’ll just write my response down on paper so they can see it. I think I might do that as part of the work.

Final project update: Periscoping

periscope01 periscope02

Been using Periscope to take videos of things that I’m doing. Again, I must stress that I don’t do very interesting things everyday. Most of these videos are just footage of me trying to keep up with my to-do list. I don’t overthink when I shoot the videos, and I’m not particularly concerned about where the camera is pointing or if everything I see can be seen through my Periscope eye. I’m just capturing things the same way that I’ve been using the Quicktime screen recording function to record my actions on the computer.

For example, I made a 5 minute broadcast of my FYP meet on Friday. I just left the phone there while class was going on. After class ended, I reviewed my footage and I realised that there’s been quite a bit of interaction going on while I wasn’t looking. From the comments I can gather three things: 1) people are viewing it from various places in the world. 2) dudes make up a large % of my viewership. 3) dudes are creepy. Apart from the comments made by these weird dudes, I find that there are people who aren’t just aimless viewers. There was this guy who could tell I’m in NTU. Someone asked about the haze situation here. I quite enjoy this live/anonymous interactive part of Periscope.

I think I can try to incorporate my Periscope videos with my screen recordings. I’m encouraged to pick up my phone and document my surroundings more actively with Periscope, compared with other social media apps. I asked my friends and family if they are familiar with Periscope, and some have not heard of it. I like it at the moment as it is not used widely in my social circle, which can give me some space to make these broadcasts kind of ‘anonymously’, and having this live audience that’s constantly changing might be helpful for my work as well, rather than making broadcasts targeted towards people who already know me.

Final Project sketch: beverley.tv

bevertvpilot

Here’s a draft outline of my final project:

Title: beverley.tv (might change this as my project progresses…)
Description: An internet TV channel broadcasting web episodes, documenting my life on the computer, by sharing the computer screen publicly.

main ideas

  • documentary style web episodes (webisodes) of what I do online/offline
  • using Quicktime’s screen recording function to capture footage from my desktop.
  • each webisode can focus on a specific topic, for example: how to waste time, how to get shit done… etc.

influences

Jon Cates, Bold3RRR

I have a renewed appreciation for this work. Last semester I was still quite baffled by the idea. But I have a better idea of it now and following the discussion in class, I am also quite inspired by the idea of desktop sharing as a form of communication and personal documentary.

modfam_01

 

Modern Family, Connection Lost 

I watched this over the break while catching up on my TV shows, and I was rather surprised by this episode. The whole story took place on the desktop of one of the characters, Claire. It shows how she uses various apps like Facetime, Mail, Safari, to communicate with her family while in transit at an airport. It is refreshing and fascinating to see how the desktop can be used to tell a story, and that is used for such a popular and mainstream TV show.

 

atglitch_01

Adventure Time, A Glitch Is a Glitch

This episode of Adventure Time also incorporates the glitch as part of the story, and the whole episode is designed to be “glitched”. The character designs looked raw and deconstructed, and the landscape reveals the grid work. I thought it is interesting because in this episode, the “glitch” was a kind of monster than the main characters Finn and Jake must help to destroy, and having the environment set up like that creates a sense of authenticity.

A common idea that I can derive from these pieces of work and apply to my own final project is that it really exemplifies the term ‘virtual reality’ at its most literal definition. It is a face of reality that follows the movement of a user’s click and touch on the computer. This method of storytelling, if I can call it for my work, can be a mix of thrilling, engaging and entertaining.

beverley.tv

In terms of content, I am not sure what it is I will be presenting in my webisodes just yet. I’m making use of Quicktime’s screen recording function to make 10 minute videos of myself working on the computer, everytime I am online and doing something. For starters, I will make some videos first, and then once or twice a week I will look through what I’ve recorded and then sieve out some potentially interesting segments to put together.

outcome

The final project involves some live streaming. For the live streaming part, I will perhaps just show whatever is on my screen while I go on to do stuff. But I will have some pre-recorded segments made, just to give viewers some context about the work and what it is about. This can be a couple of pilot episodes I think, just to get it started.

For example, one episode can be dedicated to getting distracted online. Then I’ll look through the footage captured each week and sieve out the bits that captured me when I am trying to do work, but command+tab to another screen to look at lame youtube videos or chatting with my friends. Something like that. I think it might kind of be funny.