blog comments, 30apr13

Interesting, humbling discovery in class today.

Students are required to create a blog that is updated weekly to show evidence of regular progress according to their production calendars. this is the second-to-last week of class, and today they/you were all asked to comment on each other's pieces for the journal assignment. The comments I read often contained interesting insights (along with the usual "cheerleading"type of encouragement) that was constructively critical and honest. It was eye-opening to see the trickle of intelligent feedback that came out of this exercise.

Writing feedback in the comments form just after having watched someone's weekly progress was useful today. Now, how to get this sort of thing going over the course of the semester...I am imagining a few reasons:

1) the computer is now a natural tool for self-expression, via texting, e-mail, and Facebook.

2) some of you guys maybe felt more comfortable typing your opinions, as opposed to verbalizing them in the classroom environment - perhaps wanting to avoid being shot down, contradicted, or otherwise embarrassed. or maybe it's just because I told you you had to do it as your journal assignment of the week!

3) there was enough on the screen today to make comments about.

I don't think it's so much the last thing, because feedback is possible at all stages of production. Whatever the reason(s), in-class blog feedback may become part of next year's workshop.

Of course, your considered comments are welcome here as well, and I wish you all good luck in finishing your pieces this week so we can celebrate your work at the show on Wednesday of next week!

~ Chris

eric goldberg

just a reminder that Disney animator Eric Goldberg is coming to talk to us on Friday at 1pm in Connelly.

try to make it if you can - it's a rare treat!

response to journal question for April 2nd, 2013

Hello Class,

I've compiled the response to the question: which of your classmate's pieces do you prefer. The top three were:

Erica (5)

Eun Ock (4)

tie:
Min (3)
Kaitlin (3)

The most helpful comments are specific ones that articulate observations regarding things like storytelling pacing and viewer engagement, character thought processes, staging, music and sound, use of color, movement, and others.

Feel free to check out each other's blogs to read the comments.

also, if you're curious to learn more about them, please find links to the blogs showed today in class below:
• asifa-east, student, juried screening
• asifa east
• signe baumane talks about storyboarding
• michael sporn's blog
• scribble junkies (pat smith & bill plympton)
• bill plympton: cheatin' productions
• tiny inventions blog

~ Chris