It's probably going to be quite difficult for me to get much feedback, as i'm aware, in terms of visuals there isn't much up, although i will be posting my concept art tomorrow evening.
I have my idea for my essay, and my tableaux vivant thumbs are there albeit a bit blurry.
i do have a goal in my head, and i know what i want to achieve from this unit, so any feedback, any ''kick up the ass'' motivational remarks are welcome Phil, although i am heading in a good direction and have been for a good amount of time now, only a a couple of weeks until i reach my destination!
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Online Interim Review 15/12/09
ReplyDeleteEvening Elly,
There will come a point no doubt when I grow weary of your charm and prevarications - I'm not there yet - but I do want to be serious with you for a moment and talk about professionalism. At some point, your blog (and by that I mean your creative development and the way you go about things) is going to represent you 'out there' to the world of potential employers. Therefore, it's going to be very important that your own work and its presentation 'does the job' and invites attention and admiration.
Right now, your blog is scrappy to look at, erratic in terms of its tone and purpose, and reliant on text over visual material. (That said, your blog is also engaging and crackles with intelligence and wit). What I need you to do is take yourself more seriously as an 'artist and designer' and 'bright young thing' so that everything and anything you publish represents you in the best possible light; I know you have wrestled with your scanner, but no more fuzzy, bleary images (as visual information, they're simply not 'fit for purpose') please, and no more posting about the lack of posts or your technical problems; try and use the blog more professionally and more positively. In short - and please do not take this as anything but a vote of confidence - you need to make yourself a tad more presentable. I want people to take you very seriously. I want you to be a creative force to be reckoned with. It's a quick fix - overhaul this blog - find a new, more visually literate template - and find the time to invest in it. This blog is you.
More specifically, your choice of Poe's Raven as a starting point for your scene is interesting, and brings it firmly inline with unit 2, in so much as you're visualising a literary piece. That said, you run the risk of creating a 'non-ambiguous' environment because it is couched in a particular style and within an existing 'finite' narrative; of course, it does rather mean you have to model a raven, and I think that level of organic modelling might be asking for trouble. I think you should speak with Alan as soon as possible, as you may find that your reach exceeds your grasp (for now).
Can I suggest that you consider alternative ideas - perhaps inspired by the poem - and give the Raven itself a swerve?
Regarding your written assignment, see next 2 posts for general advice for a successful essay...
Written assignment Unit 3 Part 1
ReplyDeleteConsider carefully the following learning outcomes for your essay and structure your assignment accordingly. You must demonstrate:
1) Knowledge and understanding of ‘the Uncanny’.
You should begin your essay by defining ‘the uncanny’ in theoretical terms (i.e. according to Sigmund Freud, Jentsch, and anyone else with a helpful or clear definition). You will be expected to include a quoted source by which to demonstrate your understanding; the essay, ‘The Uncanny’ by Freud is rich in useful observations – so use it; you’ll want to consider the concept of the ‘unheimlich’ and the sorts of motifs/artefacts that create the uncanny experience.
2) A developed ability to engage in research.
At this stage of your course, you are expected to research your subject area in order to enrich your discussion and corroborate your analysis. No essay at this stage should be written ‘off the top of your head’ or without a clear research agenda. Research might include a variety of film reviews, artist statements, images, books, critiques and articles. Research requires that you READ and take notes! For instance, if you are looking at Invasion of the Body-Snatchers in relation to the uncanny, first cross-reference lots of reviews/articles about the film. Make a note of any recurrent terms or ideas and when you come across a term you don’t understand or are unfamiliar with – investigate it! Try google searching associated terms together– for instance ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers & uncanny’ – as you may find research material that relates very specifically to your discussion.
There are no short-cuts to an intelligently written assignment – focused research = successful essays; without research and a body of evidence, your essay is simply ‘chat’ and of no academic significance. Be significant!
3) The ability to synthesise a range of research applied to arguments.
Put more simply, this means that once you’ve completed your research and gathered together your key ideas, you are then able to use them to ‘unpack’ your chosen subject; think of your research as a precision tool-kit especially selected by you to ‘dismantle’ your case-study or studies (i.e. the film, image, programme, artwork you’ve chosen to discuss)
4) The ability to clearly and academically communicate ideas.
This is all about your writing style and your ‘voice’ – too many of you are writing as if you’re talking, and it’s a habit you need to lose asap in this context. So you must avoid slang and clichés; you’re not on the street or down the pub, you’re in a formal space with formal conventions.
Avoid the first person; instead of writing ‘I think that Invasion Of The Body-Snatchers is about the fear of conformity’, consider instead ‘It is arguable that Invasion of the Body-Snatchers is about the fear of conformity’.
thank you so much for your time in writing a meaningful and direct piece of feedback for me Phil. I know my mistakes and erratic working pattern, and am genuinely going to get to work on it. I really appreciate your advice. as for the tableaux vivant, perhaps once the concept pieces are uploaded, you may change your mind? after all, i aim to suprise. you will know for sure by the time the week is out. thanks again
ReplyDeleteHi All,
ReplyDeleteGo onto MyUCA and check out the class files that would have been for today – Its Merry Christmas fun with Fur!!! Watch the videos and see what you can come up with. I’ll give you a full explanation in the New Year.
Merry Christmas everybody.
Alan