Monday, January 4, 2016

More Photoshop - Breaking it down...

PSD Tuts Plus - Click HERE
Go to the Tutorial How to Use Layers

Text Clipping Mask tutorial  FIRST VIEW THIS AND TRY IT. Use the clipping mask by adding text and images together. Play around with blending modes AND label all your layers.

Text portrait tutorial. THEN Watch this video and try it out!

Photoshop Double Exposure - long video

Double Exposure - quick and dirty


We will be viewing a few of these tutorials this week and doing mini assignments every day.

https://edex.adobe.com/resource/c5c21d9a39


Monday, December 14, 2015

Photoshop Assignment this week - Comm Tech

Watch the video on 10 Tips for Beginners in Photoshop and take notes if you need to. In particular pay attention towards the end where he removes the subject from the background and replaces the background.

Then go to the RICK MERCER PHOTO CHALLENGE and see what you can do with the photo you can download of our new Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.  Have some fun with it,  but your Justin Trudeau mash-up exercise MUST have the following elements in the PSD file:

You MUST use a mask to reveal Justin Trudeau and HIDE the background
You MUST use a New Layer Via Copy (Command J) to create a copy of the new background in the shape of the Justin Trudeau cut out.
This layer should go on the top layer and use blending modes (colour) and low opacity to reveal a hint of the background colouring.
Also try to match the contrast, lighting and colour to your background by adjusting the Justin Trudeau layer's levels or contrast.

When you are finished, submit the photo to the Comm Tech folder (your own folder) in the Yearbook folder. Write your procedure down in a word document and submit this as well.

Title your finished work with your name and the technique
ie. Name_MaskExercise_Trudeau.psd

Due: Before the break!

You are striving for an image that looks realistic (even though it couldn't be)
Remember to keep it appropriate for school and no offensive. i.e. Be funny without offending anyone.


10 Photoshop Tips in One Video

CLICK HERE to watch it.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Storyboard and other pre-production planning

Now that you have a rough plan for your video, the next steps are as follows:

1. Storyboard - take a look HERE to see what should be in a typical storyboard. I have left copies of a storyboard template for you to use. You can begin planning each shot and the dialogue/narration/text/sound that would accompany that shot. As well as a written description of any visual fx and the type of shot. I've also left a sample storyboard from a student video.

2. Talent - decide who your "actors" will be and the roles they will play. Make that list and also make sure they are available when you need them.

3. Schedule - When can you shoot? During class, lunchtime, after school. Prepare ahead of time so you know you have everything you need including any props or costumes.

4. Locations - Find appropriate locations for your shoot. For each shot. Write this down. You will end up creating a shot list that will allow your shooting schedule to be more efficient because you can shoot everything you need in a specific location.

5. Equipment/prop list - Make a list of all equipment you will need and any props you will need.

Type up all of these with a cover page and be ready to submit this at the end of the class on Friday. You can divide up these tasks to make it more efficient.

Good luck.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Persuasion in PSAs

  • Some things worth noting: 
Persuasion can be visually created through:
    •  powerful images – video, photographs, artwork
    •  expressions on people’s faces
    •  use of color vs. black and white
    •  use of celebrities
    •  use of regular people
    •  clear calls to action
Persuasion can be created through sound via:
    • play on words
    • repetition
    • humor
    • imperative commands
    • music to create tone
    • lyrics that add to meaning and/or tone
    • tone of actor/narrator’s voices
    • silence
Example Plan
We see
We hear
Text: Imagine your life without an education
No audio
Door slamming shut
Text: Your career
Start of “Better Days” by The Goo Goo Dolls
Text: You’d have no chance.
Song continues
Another door slamming shut.
Text: Your future
Song continues
Text: But everyone deserves a chance.
Song continues
Another door slamming shut
Text: Your life
Song continues
Statistic or fact
Song continues
More doors slamming
Song continues
Text: They need your help.
Song continues
Info about The Inter-Country People’s Aid
Song continues
End with text: It’s so simple.  It’s so SMART.
Song continues

Monday, November 16, 2015

Public Service Announcements

Yesterday we established that some key characteristics of PSAs worth noting are:

Typically, PSAs:

  • are short (usually 60 seconds or less)
  • present one single issue
  • inform the viewer of key, relevant facts
  • have a clear call to action (usually indicated through text on screen)
  • might or might not include people
  • might or might not use music
  • sometimes use voice-overs
  • sometimes use special effects (like black and white)
  • might use transitions/editing to enhance the video
  • aim to leave a lasting impact

Today's task:

Get into groups for this activity
Ms. Silverman's suggestion (unless Magnus or Lance are away - then Cindy, you should go with whoever is present)
Group 1:  Cindy, Beau and Kidus
Group 2: Magnus and Lance



Please go to the following link and view the videos we watched in class PLUS the remainder of the videos on the list.
PSA list (find the videos here if the links do not work below)

While viewing the PSAs consider the following questions in your group. 

1. Where do I see examples of persuasion?
2. How is sound used as a persuasion technique?
3. What specific visual techniques are being used to persuade the viewer?

Appoint one person the secretary and as you discuss your answers, create a comprehensive list to share in a class discussion tomorrow.

Make sure you see the following PSAs - you should be able to click on the links below

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Video Editing Theory - Comm Tech Gr. 10

Go to Digital Overdrive to the chapter on Video Editing.

Read both sections from Chapter 7
Structure of a Scene and Editing Methods. Take the tests at the end of each section and email your results to yourself, then forward them to me at lisa.silverman@tdsb.on.ca.

When you have read and understand both sections, complete the review questions.

Due: Monday November 16.

This is due Monday, so you could do it from home, or the public library. If you need to finish your composition assignment (with your own photos) then finish that first.