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Bob Bryant’s first love was the pinball game, Fireball. He seemed to be a nostalgic and sentimental man who relished in the youthful escape of games. During his presentation he gave us a vivid illustration of the career shaping events that lead him to the gaming industry and eventually to St. Edwards.

Alexandra Robinson is the first to admit that motherhood changed her work as an artist. She told us about her kids becoming the focus of her life and her work as an artist taking a back seat to her role as mother. She then showed us how her kids have molded and shaped her work with a series of images taken by her kids via camera phone. These images were chaotic and abstract, scattered and purposeful, but they all showed a sense of harmony within the whirlwind of parenthood.

 

Joe Vitone is a photographer who primarily uses a view camera to capture his subjects. He shoots mainly portrait style photographs. He showed us a set of family portraits compiled over a 20-year period. In that tim,e the subjects had grown older, most had children, a few had passed away. This was a interesting presentation and I enjoyed the photographs.

 

I have really enjoyed most of the presentations this semester. I know that there are only a few photo communications majors so you cant have famous photographers to come present. However, it might be nice to have some photographers come and speak who were not employed or affiliated with the university. Thanks for a fun semester and the pizza party.

 

 

When selecting these images for the sequence test book, I looked for similarities in the subject matter. The subject matter is people crossing the street or using the same mode of transportation. The front cover is a shot of congress with a view of The Capitol. The first few pages show many pedestrians in route to their destinations. Then, the center page shows the last pedestrian. The next two pages are bicycles. Next, there are a few pages of motorcycles followed by some of Austin’s public transportation. The back-cover sheet of the book is a picture of cars blurring as they pass in front of the camera. I still have images that I want to work in to the book but I’m not sure if I will end up using them in the final copy.

Printing the test book on the inkjet printer was very interesting. The settings are specific and it’s easy to miss a dial or switch. I remember when I got the set of odds off the printer tray, at first glance I thought I had messed something up. Then I realized that was the printing order it needed to be in order to be made into a book. I flipped the prints around and printed the evens.

It was exciting getting the finished paper back when it printed correctly. The paint from the inkjet smells kind of weird. When the ink had dried I quickly grabbed my bone folder and began to meticulously fold each page at the appropriate point. When I was finished setting the creases of my pages I used the saddle-stitcher to bind my book. This was the point when I began to feel like I can actually make this book happen.

I took my book with extra trim and creep hanging off over to Trustee Hall. I needed to use the guillotine or creep-cutter to cut the extra trim and creep off the pages of my book. The lab is pretty full of people so I made a bee-line for the cutting corner. I threw my book in the creep cutter and got it trimmed up correctly. I am excited to soon possess the new skill of bookmaking.

Thumbnails of Test Book:

 

Nate and Anne are independent game designers working on their passion project called Wildermyth. Anne has a background in art and has worked for game making companies in the past. Nate has a background in game design and has worked for several different game companies. Building your own game the way they are doing it seems very challenging. The financial hardship of investing in something and not knowing weather or not you will see a return is daunting. With children in the picture, I’m sure it feels difficult to justify the amount of time spent on the Wildermyth project because at the moment it does not provide for their family.

I enjoyed the presentation. The art direction that Anne brings to each scene in the game is vivid and dynamic. I like the 2.5D world that they have created for their characters, it reminds me of the feel and look of a board game. I also like the characters she built and the different attributed they have been given. If this game ever comes out and is playable online I will probably check it out.

Question:

How have you been able to generate income using the skills that you learned in an academic setting.

InDesign Thumbnails

InDesign was a little tricky at first but now I think I’m beginning to understand how to put these books together. I decided to use images from congress for my project. In my book I want to  show sequence by organizing the different ways that people travel along south congress during their day. Some people are out shopping, some are headed to work, a few are out meeting for lunch, and others are just marching to the beat of their own drum. I started out with pictures of pedestrians, which were very prevalent on south congress. I then moved to bikes, motorcycles and finally public transportation such as cabs and metro busses.  I chose to make my pages 10×10 because I wanted the images to be a little larger. I am going to print the book and trim off the extra paper as well as the creep to make square pages I chose the name “Congressional Transit” for this project because it was focused on the people who pass through congress avenue everyday.  I have a few more images I’m considering but these thumbnails represent the ones I have decided on so far. I am excited to start putting these books together.

Alumni Presentations

The first presentation was given by Alejandro who worked for SXSW gaming. He talked about different positions and rolls within gaming the industry. Alejandro harped on passion, craft, immersion and iteration. His presentation was interesting and gave insight into the profession of gaming.

Next was Anthony, a talented art director who had done a majority of his work during his internship for a testicular cancer awareness group. He created lots of amusing ads and graphic designs to spread the word about how to check yourself for testicular cancer. He talked about selling his work online through skill share, etsy, creative market and other sites.

The last presentation was done by Edith who had been helping and learning from Jimmy in the Risograph Lab. Most of her work had a Mexican American influence.  She showed us a mural project she had done on a piece of wood for her senior thesis. She told us about her trip to Mexico with Tuan and Jimmy and her upcoming trip to New York. She also outlined a social project she had been working on that revolved around environmental efforts. She mentioned that she also used skill share to sell her work online. Edith also talked about the “soul sucking” work she had found herself doing and admitted that advertising work was not for her.

I was surprised that despite the obvious talent and passion Anthony and Edith posses, they were still searching for employment. I believe this highlights the competitive nature of the Austin job market and how qualified talented artists can still have a hard time finding work in this town. Overall the presentations were interesting and their work was very good.

Internships

https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Travel-+-SocialGood/jobs/Social-Media-Management-Intern-4db1d202dcae1957?q=photography+internship

http://www.internships.com/production/video-and-content-production-internship-i6485715

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=9211&clientkey=BB70460BD1BF090E6C486AA93E688403

I have put a lot of thought into to coming up with an amazing sequential theme for my book. After many trips back to the drawing board I realized that I want this book to represent my work in the class. The most interesting batch of work I have done for this class is the many photos I have taken on congress.

I plan to use these photos and some that have yet to be taken to construct the book project. I plan to use time of day and direction of the subjects to give my book a sense of sequential theme and order.

Most of the photos I took have a distinct directionality to them because for most I was standing on the side walk. I want to use this to give the book a sense of flow and direction.

I took some of my photos in the morning and some in the mid day sun. I think it would round out the sequence to have some dusk shots and possible even shots at night. I will venture back to congress on Monday night after our class to see what I can get.

Faculty Presentations

Jimmy

Jimmy Loue was the first presentation. He talked about the Riso graph printer in and making art in the Riso labs. He highlighted the differences that the Riso graph can make and the extra colors that can be applied using it. Jimmy talked about the concept of public and how it fits into the world of publication.

I enjoyed Jimmy’s presentation. I felt that he was very invested in his work as an artist and as a professor at St. Edwards University.

Bill

Bill Kennedy was the next speaker. He showcased several intensely beautiful abstract pieces. His process includes taking otherwise ordinary images and editing them digitally. The work was a vivid mix of color and shape. It was almost impossible to tell what the original image was to begin with.

I like this work, it has a cellular quality to it that can really draw you in. The images are almost scientific in nature and mimic some molecular structures. As interesting as this work is, I am much more entertained by his other bodies of work especially his images from the Texas Prison Rodeo.

Tuan

The next speaker was Tuan Phan. His graphic design work ranged from personal quasi-political Instagram projects to elaborate flyers and graphic artwork created for St. Edwards programs. He collaborates with students on many of his flyers for the university. Mr. Phan is a master of the sketch and uses a sketch book to house his ideas and potential design elements for upcoming work.

I appreciate Tuan’s work for its imaginative quality and its unique style. He uses many recognizable shapes and objects layered together to create his work, giving it a dynamic 3D look. He is a huge asset to the university when it comes to his design techniques as well as his skills as a professor.

Alex

Alex Garza was the last to present. She gave definitions to highlight her working characteristics. She listed curiosity, passion and wonder as the driving elements that compel her to create her works. She mentioned her work studying sudden infant death as well as projects revolving around childhood obesity. She also mentioned a painstaking project that her and her husband took eight years to complete. The project was to resurrect an old musical with the original audio and video, then they made their own version using different music and slightly different editing. She left us with two bits of advice, it’s all about time management and go out and shoot.

Other than hearing her speak I don’t know much about Mrs. Garza or her work. She seemed very passionate and equally interested in making art, teaching and parenting. She gave a good speech and rounded out the faculty speakers by injecting a little bit of inspiration into her presentation.

 

5-year plan

Over the course of the next five years, I want to increase my value as a photographer and as a working professional. In the next two years, I hope to complete my degree at St. Edwards and gather more working experience in the photography industry. I would like to travel more and photograph new places and people. Improving my photography skills is important to me, so I plan on getting a job assisting an established photographer to learn what I can about editing, shooting, and archiving images. These things should help me become a more seasoned photographer and the proper credentials to generate income and support my life with photographer.

1. Create a four-year degree plan. How will this major help you prepare a career in the future? Do you have a back up plan if this major doesn’t work out?

Seeing as I am a transfer student, over the next two years, I plan on pursuing my degree in photo communications. I believe this degree will give me some exposure to the necessary skills and jargon I need to further myself in the industry of photography. In the following two years, I plan to work as an in-house photographer for a company. My back up plan is to continue to do freelance work and build a portfolio of strong content and make connections in the field I want to work in.

2. Do you have a minor or have you considered a second major?

• If so what is it and why do you think this will be a beneficial choice?
• If not, identify at least one minor or major degree option that you are interested in. Explain why you chose this option.

I do not have a minor and I have not considered a second major. However, if I had to choose one, it would be marketing. I’m interested in the world of marketing and have used my photography in that capacity in the past. If I had to pursue another major it would be in marketing.

The movie I chose had a run time of about about 75 minutes. It featured two main characters, Lola and Manni, a young couple living in the city. The movie begins with a phone call between Manni and Lola. Manni is in trouble because he lost his boss Ronnie’s drug money. He has to deliver the money to his boss in 20 minutes or else he will be killed. Lola is compelled to help him get the money to pay Ronnie.

In the first scenario she runs to help and Manni and makes a valiant effort, but it’s not enough and they end up getting in a stand-off with the police after they rob a local store. Lola get shot by the police and hits the ground. She has a flash back to a conversation that her and Manni had. She screams, “STOP”, as if she has control of time.

Time restarts and another sequence begins. All the sudden she is back at her house running to help Manni. She is tripped on the stairs and that cause her to be a step behind all day. This has disastrous results. This time she decides to go to her father’s bank and robs the teller for $100,000. She robs the bank and makes her get away but as she gets to Manni, he is struck by a red ambulance and killed before she can get to him. It cuts to a flashback of the same conversation they were having in bed. As he is speaking his last words Manni says “NO” in protest of his own death and the sequence restarts.

Lola is back at her house and she has another chance. The day has restarted and she is determined to succeed in saving her boyfriend. She bolts down the stairs and off to save Manni. She rounds the corner and sees a casino. She decides to bet on a long shot at the roulette table and in just minutes, she wins the money they need to pay Ronnie.

At the same time Manni runs into the homeless man who initially stole the money. He retrieves the money from the homeless man and makes the hand-off to Ronnie. Ronnie is satisfied and everything is good. Lola meets up with Manni and they walk off with the winnings from the casino in the bag.

Lola appeared to be using powers to manipulate the time. I think she was restarting the sequence each time to reach the perfect outcome. This manipulation of time was enhanced with the use of cut scenes for the flash backs. The editors used different scene transitions and editing techniques to give some scenes the feeling of a dream or a premonition. It was an interesting film and a good example of how time can be segmented in to sequences to tell a story.

For each class ask yourself the following:

My greatest strengths in ________________ include:

Science: Taking Notes

Speech: Taking notes and writing scripts.

Photo 1: Shooting Photographs

Visual: Working in photoshop

For greater success in this course, I need to:

Science: Make better grades on the quizzes

Speech: Read more from each chapter

Photo 1: Use test strips more often

Visual: Make prints from photo shop and work to understand print setting better

Computer skills:

1. My computer skills include: Video Editing, Photo Editing, and Graphic Design.
2. I still need to learn: How to print professional grade images and basic web design

Research & writing skills:

1. My greatest strengths as a researcher/writer include: Writing reflective essays.
2. I need to work on these aspects of research and writing: Using literary devices more frequently.
3. I learn best & accomplish most when: I feel comfortable to explore and have a demo that involves actually doing the process myself.

ACTION PLAN

Choose one class that you are struggling with or are not doing as well as you could.

I could do better in my science class.

Now make a list of 10 ways you could improve your performance in this class

1. If I had a better grasp on the periodic table and what it means.

2. I could go to my teachers office hours and ask him to show me what in the world he was talking about in class.

3. I could ask my teacher to show me a better way to study for the quizzes.

4. I could find out exactly what information was going to be on the quizzes.

5. Take more precise notes.

6. Record each lecture and listen to them while studying.

7. While reading the chapter, I could fill out my study guide to make it easier.

8. Learn how to balance scientific notation.

9. I could turn in all three extra credit papers.

10. Look up practice tests/quizzes to help prepare for the real deal.