Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Navigation
I have scaled down the navigation to only the necessities. Why put in sections that people will not click on (unless for legal reasons)? I took out links and about and sponsors. The main flash intro will say what the show is about.
The show could have a main sponsor and then each episodes could have a "brought to you by" that is displayed under the title.
I also played around with different navigation systems but I keep coming back to the thumbnails so I am going to stick with it.
The show could have a main sponsor and then each episodes could have a "brought to you by" that is displayed under the title.
I also played around with different navigation systems but I keep coming back to the thumbnails so I am going to stick with it.
Logo Animation
The logo animation will play as soon as the user enters the site. It will be VERY short and there will be sound underneath with randomm talking. I will collect these and add them over time. It would also serve as a loading movie for the video.
Logo Explorations
I wanted to reference the idea of the road without being literal so the background in the opening sequence is pavement. The simple grey allows it to fit with any look of the videos.
The font is a san serif which mimics the idea of road signs without being exactly the same. It is readable when it is very small as well (so that I can have a logo screen burn when the actual movies play).
I'm still playing around with the idea of scribbling directions on a napkin. The border of the site and perhaps the thumbnails will reflect this idea.
Below are some explorations (scribbles really) that lead me in this direction.
I also played around with different navigation systems but I keep coming back to the thumbnails so I am going to stick with it.
I wanted to have a hand drawn feel to the logo but it ended up looking too childlike so I combined the main font with a handwritten sub-header.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Sizes
The site scales based on the user's monitor size.
BIG VERSION: 1280 X 720 large size (1440 and higher)
SMALL VERSION: 970 X 545 small size (1024 and 1280 which is 48% of users)
Both options have the flash fullscreen button and are based on 16:9 video widescreen ratios
Javascript is used to load the same flash movie but with different embed calls.
The images and video will be designed at 1280 X 720 but the flash production will scale down by 75.78%
BIG VERSION: 1280 X 720 large size (1440 and higher)
SMALL VERSION: 970 X 545 small size (1024 and 1280 which is 48% of users)
Both options have the flash fullscreen button and are based on 16:9 video widescreen ratios
Javascript is used to load the same flash movie but with different embed calls.
The images and video will be designed at 1280 X 720 but the flash production will scale down by 75.78%
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Branding
Priority 1: Branding and identity
It is most important to have an identity that people can see right away. Do a few variations of the logo and the animation that will appear as soon as people go into the site.
Priority 2: Film Content
If the content is not good the site is not good.
Priority 3: Promo Materials
The promo material is specifically for people that I am planning to approach who might be interested in sponsoring the site such as National Geographic Traveler. The material must catch their eye but not take any time whatsoever to read because these people will not take the time.
It is most important to have an identity that people can see right away. Do a few variations of the logo and the animation that will appear as soon as people go into the site.
Priority 2: Film Content
If the content is not good the site is not good.
Priority 3: Promo Materials
The promo material is specifically for people that I am planning to approach who might be interested in sponsoring the site such as National Geographic Traveler. The material must catch their eye but not take any time whatsoever to read because these people will not take the time.
Post Cards, View Master
Friday, October 17, 2008
Old Cowboy Movies
When I travel it is to broaden my understanding of the world but my journey to the Flying U Guest Ranch was to validate my notion that cowboys really do exist. As a child I dreamed of cowgirls and horses, riding off into the sunset, cowbells rung to call everyone to meals and leisurely trail rides through sinuous mountain paths but, of course, that life was just a fantasy I garnered from cowboy movies.
The icons of the past, Gene Autry, William Boyd and Roy Rogers, are relics of a time long ago that allowed me to have this dream but ones that my daughter has no interest in watching. The movies she watches are about teen rock stars. She sees cowboys the same way that she sees computer programmers and accountants, as people, both good and bad and fun or boring. I see cowboys as icons, adventurers, as heros from a past that is quietly disappearing.
I want her to feel the romance of the cowboy story, where good and evil are clearly defined and the good guys always win. These stories didn't just entertain but they helped bring out the best, even if it was all fake.
The Flying U Guest Ranch in the southern Cariboo Region was built on the romantic notion of the cowboy. The son of the original owners, Jack Boyd, was enamored with cowboy culture and had an actor friend, William Hart, who suggested that the ranch be called "The Flying U Guest Ranch" named after a popular series of books by B. M. Bower. Since then there has always had an oblique reference to hollywood and cowboys. It has gone through a few hands since then but the original appeal has never changed. Simple and direct. Romantic and rugged.
The icons of the past, Gene Autry, William Boyd and Roy Rogers, are relics of a time long ago that allowed me to have this dream but ones that my daughter has no interest in watching. The movies she watches are about teen rock stars. She sees cowboys the same way that she sees computer programmers and accountants, as people, both good and bad and fun or boring. I see cowboys as icons, adventurers, as heros from a past that is quietly disappearing.
I want her to feel the romance of the cowboy story, where good and evil are clearly defined and the good guys always win. These stories didn't just entertain but they helped bring out the best, even if it was all fake.
The Flying U Guest Ranch in the southern Cariboo Region was built on the romantic notion of the cowboy. The son of the original owners, Jack Boyd, was enamored with cowboy culture and had an actor friend, William Hart, who suggested that the ranch be called "The Flying U Guest Ranch" named after a popular series of books by B. M. Bower. Since then there has always had an oblique reference to hollywood and cowboys. It has gone through a few hands since then but the original appeal has never changed. Simple and direct. Romantic and rugged.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Back in the Saddle
Came back from the Ranch and have so much content to sift through. I am tweaking my focus somewhat and that will evolve even more as I put this together.
I learned so much on so many levels from production to story boarding to relationships with people. All in all it was a very exciting and successful trip. There really are cowboys left in the world.
I learned so much on so many levels from production to story boarding to relationships with people. All in all it was a very exciting and successful trip. There really are cowboys left in the world.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Chat with David
I had an amazing chat with David Ozier who works for paperny films. He gave me some good technical/lighting tips, which is the weakest part of my setup, but mostly he helped give the entire project more focus. His job is focusing in on stories and he really helped me to look at my story and ask what are the layers and how do they collide?
His question to me was what was is the story beyond the ranch? He suggested making the story more personal both with the interviews/ranch and with me. It'll make the project richer and more poetic. Focus in on relationships.
He suggested to look for the unresolved parts of the story which will make it more interesting. For example was there risk in the current owners acquisition of the ranch? Are there personal items (ie: cowboy boots) that tell a story. What is my relationship to the myth of the cowboy. Why do I feel that adventure is important VS my daughters desire for stability (perhaps the premise for the series).
There are 2 techniques to telling a story. Observational (seeing an event occur) or reflection (talking about an event after it has occurred). Choose which ways I want to tell a story and be aware of which method I am utilizing.
He suggested getting shots of my journey to the farm rather than just starting from the farm. Movement towards a destination.
A great tip was having a story in mind but being open to other stories as they occur.
Some of his keywords: The magic of the Myth, Painting a portrait.
Some Lighting equipment: Kino Flow. Flex Cards
Artist Suggestion: Ivan E Coyote A Canadian artist who reads the stories that she writes. A storyteller.
I'm off to the Ranch tomorrow for 3 days and I've prepared as much as I can now I will just be learning from the experience itself.
His question to me was what was is the story beyond the ranch? He suggested making the story more personal both with the interviews/ranch and with me. It'll make the project richer and more poetic. Focus in on relationships.
He suggested to look for the unresolved parts of the story which will make it more interesting. For example was there risk in the current owners acquisition of the ranch? Are there personal items (ie: cowboy boots) that tell a story. What is my relationship to the myth of the cowboy. Why do I feel that adventure is important VS my daughters desire for stability (perhaps the premise for the series).
There are 2 techniques to telling a story. Observational (seeing an event occur) or reflection (talking about an event after it has occurred). Choose which ways I want to tell a story and be aware of which method I am utilizing.
He suggested getting shots of my journey to the farm rather than just starting from the farm. Movement towards a destination.
A great tip was having a story in mind but being open to other stories as they occur.
Some of his keywords: The magic of the Myth, Painting a portrait.
Some Lighting equipment: Kino Flow. Flex Cards
Artist Suggestion: Ivan E Coyote A Canadian artist who reads the stories that she writes. A storyteller.
I'm off to the Ranch tomorrow for 3 days and I've prepared as much as I can now I will just be learning from the experience itself.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Convergent Conference
I went to an interesting conference yesterday that the Documentary Organization of Canada hosted called convergent.
The people speaking were in the non-linear and new media fields (sort of) and the agenda was to look at creative opportunities for new media and to encouraging content creators to consider the possibilities and creative opportunities presented by explorative content.
Most people attending were documentary filmmakers. They were talking about the idea of merging internet and Film/TV. At this point the web is used mainly for marketing and networking but content isn't being created specifically for a web only audience. It seems as though industry leaders know that something needs to happen in terms of content but they are not sure where to go. There was also alot of talk about mobile technology.
There are ALOT of grants out there for content creators of New Media.
Ron Martin - ISWID Productions
Andrew Nisker - Director of Garbage
Maureen O'Reilly - BC Innovation Council (BCIC)
Janine Steele - BC Film
The people speaking were in the non-linear and new media fields (sort of) and the agenda was to look at creative opportunities for new media and to encouraging content creators to consider the possibilities and creative opportunities presented by explorative content.
Most people attending were documentary filmmakers. They were talking about the idea of merging internet and Film/TV. At this point the web is used mainly for marketing and networking but content isn't being created specifically for a web only audience. It seems as though industry leaders know that something needs to happen in terms of content but they are not sure where to go. There was also alot of talk about mobile technology.
There are ALOT of grants out there for content creators of New Media.
Ron Martin - ISWID Productions
Andrew Nisker - Director of Garbage
Maureen O'Reilly - BC Innovation Council (BCIC)
Janine Steele - BC Film
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