Well it looks like I'll get my wish for sketching more often, for my final project I'm teaming up with several classmates to make a game, and I'll be doing a large amount of the concept artwork :D
Farewell sleep, I will miss you during the next few months...
Anyhoo, school is crazy busy right now, besides planning out the final project, I am the production manager for my Freaky 13 group (paperwork, paperwork, paperwork) I have to make a short video with my group for Art and Creativity (which will hopefully be filmed this Friday) I have my life drawing project which keeps getting pushed down on my priority list, I have two 3 page scripts of dialogue due for writing that I need to do (also a group thing BTW) as well as my final script for writing, and I also need to work on my elevator pitch for our Final Project class (way down on my priority list as well....)
I also need to figure things out when it comes to the student loan I'm applying for, and the 2 scholarships I'm applying for. Meep! Yet more paperwork >.<
I'm really hoping to get the Women in Games scholarship, it would pay my entire tuition for game design, which would be a load off my mind. But for the scholarships I need to get 2 letters of reference (I asked 2 of my instructors and they both agreed, which I'm really thankful for) do a synopsis for a game I am passionate about making, and write an open letter explaining why I deserve the scholarship. I've picked which game idea I'm going with, I just need to flesh it out now, and I have a wordpad document full of brain vomit relating to the letter. I'm really glad I'm in my Final Project and Career Orientations classes right now, because the things they've taught us about industry expectations and making yourself stand out are really helping, I'm trying to take it all to heart and make my open letter the best it can be.
This past weekend I attended the Game Design Expo with a few friends, it was amazing and I'm so glad I got to go. I was originally only going to attend the free open house on Sunday, however I wound up getting to go to the Industry Speaker Day of Saturday thanks to a friend :D I missed the first half because I had to work, but the few talks I got to attend were great, they were very informative and fun. after the talks there was time to meet and talk with other people attending the event, I just wanted to hide though D: But we wound up meeting a girl who's going to be in our Game Design class for June. She fit right into our little group and she wound up hanging out with us for the rest of the weekend and giving input into the game we're making for our final. Turns out she's my competition for the Women in Games scholarship, but that's okay, I hope one of us wins it :)
On Sunday they announced the Women in Games scholarship, we both picked up the forms and asked our questions. Then we got to sit in on a few classes, we missed out on the flash gaming class, but the other classes we attended were great. There were prizes, none of which I won, but my friends won things, including several copies of Halo Reach and some angry birds plushies. I took a ton of notes and we threw ideas around for our game in between classes, we also met up at a Starbucks afterward and discussed it more.
All in all it was a great weekend. There were also things scheduled on Friday, however I could not attend as I unfortunately had a class.... :(
Well, I think that's about all for this post, so until later :P
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sketching is Required...
I'm not drawing as much as I used to as of late. School, homework, and just plain old work take up most of my time, and when I do have down time I'm not spending it sketching, I'm usually watching videos and goofing around on the internet or playing video games.
The most I seem to be stretching my drawing muscles is when I doodle on my notes in class, which is fun and useful but it's really not cutting it... hopefully my Life Drawing project will change this a little bit like Discovery did last term, but I feel like it's not enough. I'm seriously considering taking the Sketch a Day challenge; I mean, I have this blog right here that can easily be converted into a sketch blog, but I worry a bit I won't stick with it.
What I really want to do is a nice, shiny, completed artwork, but daily sketches would really be much more beneficial.
blahblahblahrantranrant
Anyhoo, another link! A wonderful little comic called: Knite
I love the style of this comic and the message, it's about a boy in china who flies kites with lights attached to try to put the stars back in the night sky, as the air is so polluted the stars cannot be seen. Once again I love the use of colour and it makes me fret about my own shortcomings in this area (but in a good way). It currently has 3 chapters and 2 Omakes. It is done as a flash file with some slight animation, which gives it a very cinematic feel, so awesome!
The most I seem to be stretching my drawing muscles is when I doodle on my notes in class, which is fun and useful but it's really not cutting it... hopefully my Life Drawing project will change this a little bit like Discovery did last term, but I feel like it's not enough. I'm seriously considering taking the Sketch a Day challenge; I mean, I have this blog right here that can easily be converted into a sketch blog, but I worry a bit I won't stick with it.
What I really want to do is a nice, shiny, completed artwork, but daily sketches would really be much more beneficial.
blahblahblahrantranrant
Anyhoo, another link! A wonderful little comic called: Knite
I love the style of this comic and the message, it's about a boy in china who flies kites with lights attached to try to put the stars back in the night sky, as the air is so polluted the stars cannot be seen. Once again I love the use of colour and it makes me fret about my own shortcomings in this area (but in a good way). It currently has 3 chapters and 2 Omakes. It is done as a flash file with some slight animation, which gives it a very cinematic feel, so awesome!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
And the Disconnected Number I Still Call...
Here are some of my most favourite poems.
First, my favourite poet: Shane Koyczan. He is a spoken word artist, so it's better to hear him perform the poems, my personal favourite of his is Atlantis:
Others that I like though are Move Pen Move (it starts out with another poem, so wait until after the lady reciting “Divine Sonnet X”/"Death be not Proud") and The Crickets Have Arthritis. Both are rather sad though, so be warned if you don't like bittersweet poems.
This one I discovered recently, it's called "Long Distance II" by Tony Harrison:
Though my mother was already two years dead
Dad kept her slippers warming by the gas,
put hot water bottles her side of the bed
and still went to renew her transport pass.
You couldn't just drop in. You had to phone.
He'd put you off an hour to give him time
to clear away her things and look alone
as though his still raw love were such a crime.
He couldn't risk my blight of disbelief
though sure that very soon he'd hear her key
scrape in the rusted lock and end his grief.
He knew she'd just popped out to get the tea.
I believe life ends with death, and that is all.
You haven't both gone shopping; just the same,
in my new black leather phone book there's your name
and the disconnected number I still call.
The final stanza is my favourite.
And finally, this one is my absolute favourite for a long time, "The Old Astronomer to his Pupil" by Sarah Williams:
Reach me down my Tycho Brahe, I would know him when we meet,
When I share my later science, sitting humbly at his feet;
He may know the law of all things, yet be ignorant of how
We are working to completion, working on from then to now.
Pray remember that I leave you all my theory complete,
Lacking only certain data for your adding, as is meet,
And remember men will scorn it, 'tis original and true,
And the obliquy of newness may fall bitterly on you.
But, my pupil, as my pupil you have learned the worth of scorn,
You have laughed with me at pity, we have joyed to be forlorn,
What for us are all distractions of men's fellowship and wiles;
What for us the Goddess Pleasure with her meretricious smiles.
You may tell that German College that their honor comes too late,
But they must not waste repentance on the grizzly savant's fate.
Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.
What, my boy, you are not weeping? You should save your eyes for sight;
You will need them, mine observer, yet for many another night.
I leave none but you, my pupil, unto whom my plans are known.
You "have none but me," you murmur, and I "leave you quite alone"?
Well then, kiss me, -- since my mother left her blessing on my brow,
There has been a something wanting in my nature until now;
I can dimly comprehend it, -- that I might have been more kind,
Might have cherished you more wisely, as the one I leave behind.
I "have never failed in kindness"? No, we lived too high for strife,
Calmest coldness was the error which has crept into our life;
But your spirit is untainted, I can dedicate you still
To the service of our science: you will further it? you will!
There are certain calculations I should like to make with you,
To be sure that your deductions will be logical and true;
And remember, "Patience, Patience," is the watchword of a sage,
Not to-day nor yet to-morrow can complete a perfect age.
I have sown, like Tycho Brahe, that a greater man may reap;
But if none should do my reaping, 'twill disturb me in my sleep
So be careful and be faithful, though, like me, you leave no name;
See, my boy, that nothing turn you to the mere pursuit of fame.
I must say Good-bye, my pupil, for I cannot longer speak;
Draw the curtain back for Venus, ere my vision grows too weak:
It is strange the pearly planet should look red as fiery Mars,
God will mercifully guide me on my way amongst the stars.
My favourite lines are "Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night."
First, my favourite poet: Shane Koyczan. He is a spoken word artist, so it's better to hear him perform the poems, my personal favourite of his is Atlantis:
Others that I like though are Move Pen Move (it starts out with another poem, so wait until after the lady reciting “Divine Sonnet X”/"Death be not Proud") and The Crickets Have Arthritis. Both are rather sad though, so be warned if you don't like bittersweet poems.
This one I discovered recently, it's called "Long Distance II" by Tony Harrison:
Though my mother was already two years dead
Dad kept her slippers warming by the gas,
put hot water bottles her side of the bed
and still went to renew her transport pass.
You couldn't just drop in. You had to phone.
He'd put you off an hour to give him time
to clear away her things and look alone
as though his still raw love were such a crime.
He couldn't risk my blight of disbelief
though sure that very soon he'd hear her key
scrape in the rusted lock and end his grief.
He knew she'd just popped out to get the tea.
I believe life ends with death, and that is all.
You haven't both gone shopping; just the same,
in my new black leather phone book there's your name
and the disconnected number I still call.
The final stanza is my favourite.
And finally, this one is my absolute favourite for a long time, "The Old Astronomer to his Pupil" by Sarah Williams:
Reach me down my Tycho Brahe, I would know him when we meet,
When I share my later science, sitting humbly at his feet;
He may know the law of all things, yet be ignorant of how
We are working to completion, working on from then to now.
Pray remember that I leave you all my theory complete,
Lacking only certain data for your adding, as is meet,
And remember men will scorn it, 'tis original and true,
And the obliquy of newness may fall bitterly on you.
But, my pupil, as my pupil you have learned the worth of scorn,
You have laughed with me at pity, we have joyed to be forlorn,
What for us are all distractions of men's fellowship and wiles;
What for us the Goddess Pleasure with her meretricious smiles.
You may tell that German College that their honor comes too late,
But they must not waste repentance on the grizzly savant's fate.
Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.
What, my boy, you are not weeping? You should save your eyes for sight;
You will need them, mine observer, yet for many another night.
I leave none but you, my pupil, unto whom my plans are known.
You "have none but me," you murmur, and I "leave you quite alone"?
Well then, kiss me, -- since my mother left her blessing on my brow,
There has been a something wanting in my nature until now;
I can dimly comprehend it, -- that I might have been more kind,
Might have cherished you more wisely, as the one I leave behind.
I "have never failed in kindness"? No, we lived too high for strife,
Calmest coldness was the error which has crept into our life;
But your spirit is untainted, I can dedicate you still
To the service of our science: you will further it? you will!
There are certain calculations I should like to make with you,
To be sure that your deductions will be logical and true;
And remember, "Patience, Patience," is the watchword of a sage,
Not to-day nor yet to-morrow can complete a perfect age.
I have sown, like Tycho Brahe, that a greater man may reap;
But if none should do my reaping, 'twill disturb me in my sleep
So be careful and be faithful, though, like me, you leave no name;
See, my boy, that nothing turn you to the mere pursuit of fame.
I must say Good-bye, my pupil, for I cannot longer speak;
Draw the curtain back for Venus, ere my vision grows too weak:
It is strange the pearly planet should look red as fiery Mars,
God will mercifully guide me on my way amongst the stars.
My favourite lines are "Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night."
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Extra Credits
Wonderful little videos relating to the game industry and game design: Extra Credits
They raise some wonderful points, this one is particularly interesting, it looks at game design as a whole and what it takes to be a good designer. I also like their thoughts on choice in games.
I have my first Maya class today! Wheeee! 3d work! These are entirely new waters for me, happy happy!
They raise some wonderful points, this one is particularly interesting, it looks at game design as a whole and what it takes to be a good designer. I also like their thoughts on choice in games.
I have my first Maya class today! Wheeee! 3d work! These are entirely new waters for me, happy happy!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!!!
Whoooo! 2011!!!
Time to bid a fond farewell to 2010, it was greater than I could have ever hoped. I hope that 2011 will be even better, it has certainly started off wonderfully with good company and wisdom from friends.
If I can get everything figured out for Game Design, this may just be the best year of my life yet :)
Time to bid a fond farewell to 2010, it was greater than I could have ever hoped. I hope that 2011 will be even better, it has certainly started off wonderfully with good company and wisdom from friends.
If I can get everything figured out for Game Design, this may just be the best year of my life yet :)
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