Scratch Game Design

The latest GT project that my class and I have been working on is creating chase game in scratch. After our chase game is published anyone can play and have access to my game. User experience influenced my game by helping me understand that there has to be different codes to use to make the sprites move, adding a score board, sound, using key arrows to move, and changing the backdrops. Luckily, I had a lot of practice with coding to help me have more experience when creating the actual game. Mr. Sanderl also showed us different videos of other coding users about how they do things in scratch.

For this project we were to create a total of 3 scratch games. The first one is my chase game, second is my platform game, and third is my "operation freedom" game. All of my games are the same because they all use the arrow keys to move. They are also similar because they all have either timers or score boards to keep tract. My chase is different from the rest because there are two sprites and one is chasing the other to gain points, my backdrops switch, and the sprites are different. My platform game is also different because this game has a sprite that is jumping on platforms to get to the next level. Lastly, my freedom game is different because there is one sprite that has to go through a maze to get to another sprite to move on to the next level.

My best code is probably my freedom game. I think my freedom game is my best because my controls work very smoothly and I just love the type of game it is. I also enjoyed having more freedom for this game, I like my choices to be open and I liked creating something different. Coding is a very complex project. It wasn't the easiest for me. The most difficult bug fixes that I had to face is my arrow keys working smoothly in my platform game, at some point my arrow keys didn't work. My last bug I had to fix was getting the gravity engine to work for when my sprite is controlled. To conclude, this project was not the easiest but I was able to get through it.

Invention Commercial

P2T9_Invention from Kapaa Middle School MEDIA on Vimeo.

The latest project that my GT class has been doing are invention ideas. My teams main goal for this assignment was to make sure that are invention showed what exactly it does and how it works. Also, to make sure that it kept our audience entertained. We wanted everyone to be convinced into buying this product, even if it's not in stores we want them to think that it's something that they need to have! I also think that our products solution is based on stress, which is something that is very common especially when your in school.

Of course during this project my team and I have had some best "team moments". The best "team moment" was probably when we've turned in all our work on time. I think the best feeling is when you get your work turned in on time because the stress is gone and you don't have to worry about it. It also shows that my team and I are responsible for getting our work done and using time wisely. In addition, this wouldn't happen if we didn't work together as a team.

During the post-production filming, we've had to overcome some challenges, like making the time limit which was 30-50 seconds. Based on our commercial plan we were over 50 seconds. To overcome that challenge we decided to film all of our parts and cut out what we didn't need. During the post-production editing, I placed all the clips on and did the voice overs. Kiana added all the titles and other little things we needed to make our video a little extra awesome. Lastly, Shanden did the audio like the music and also helped with the voice overs as well. In conclusion, all of my teammates were a big help and I thought we did a great job working as a team and getting things done, yet still producing quality work!:)

Composition Scavenger Hunt

P2T9_Composition_2015 from Kapaa Middle School MEDIA on Vimeo.
Lately, in my GT class we have done a composition scavenger hunt. We had to make a video about 8 of the composition techniques. The one composition technique that I think is most important is the "Rule of Thirds". Both the subject and scenery rule of thirds. I think the rule of thirds with a subject is most important because that's what helps the audience under stand the story more. For example, say I made a video about flowers, I would get a shot with the person in a field of flowers but, in a rule of thirds so they see the flowers in the back with look room. Also, rule of thirds with a scenery is also most important because it makes it more interesting and dynamic to the eye. It is god to know that according to the results, everyone in my GT class got both the rule of thirds scenery and subject all correct on the survey!

The composition technique that I think is most difficult is forced foreground because it is a bit hard to make sure that the camera is focused on the subject you want it to be focused on. It may take a while to make sure that it's correctly focused. Also, it's hard to make sure that the camera is not too close but still gives a sense of depth. I can use forced foreground more by making advertising videos. For example, right now my GT class is producing a commercial, and we are using forced foreground to advertise our product. Another way to use forced foreground more is by, using it for more parts of a project to get the audiences attention because forced foreground bring depth and interest to the eye.

For this project we had to choose teammates. I have a total of 3 teammates. My first teammate is Kiana Dea and Shanden Matsushima. They are both kind people. We all have different jobs that we have to do to get this project done. Kiana has helped with filming and helped editing by adding the text layovers. Shanden has also helped with filming and contributed with the editing by adding the music or audio. Lastly, me myself, has been doing most of the filming, also helped with the editing by making sure everything is in it's place. To conclude, we are all working together to get things done on time!:)

Cracking the Code

The latest project that my GT class has been starting is called coding. Coding is a new thing to me so I'm still getting the hang of it. Although, it sounds pretty interesting and exciting to do. In my opinion, I think everyone should learn to code because coding is a good experience for everyone and I think it will help others in many ways. One way this helps others in many ways is that it will provide different skills, like to concentrate and will help with being a critical thinker.

Actually, I have zero experience with coding or anything similar to it. This is my first project doing something like coding. But at least, I will know how to code after this project! I think I will be very interested and excited because I love to do and learn new things. So, I think that this project will help me in many ways. As, I starred this project it was a little confusing at first but I've learned to solve those challenges and wait for more.

If I could design any program or game it would be a program where it would help you with your homework. I would name the program "Homework Help".There would be different links that you can click on that says which subject you need help on. For example, reading, math, social studies, and science. I would even make a dictionary where you can say the word your looking up and it would automatically tell you the definition, synonyms, antonyms, and a sentence using that word. I think this program could be useful for all of us. To conclude, this is what I would design and even though I haven't had a lot of experience, I'm interested and ready for more!!

My Humorous Monologue

ChangT_Comedy from Kapaa Middle School MEDIA on Vimeo.

Our latest project that my GT class is working on is Comedy. We are making our own video on our joke. During this project, I have learned quite a few things. Some of those things are.... of course how to write a joke. I learned how to use IMovie a little better. And all about punchlines for your joke. I also learned a different grading criteria, and what is needed for each grade. Lastly, I learned how to import in IMovie and how to create different folders to be organized to know which is our folders that hold all are video clips and all of the things we need to edit.

In this project, I've learned a filming technique, called padding. Padding is basically the space between the start of your video and the space between the end of your video. It helps if you say "rolling" when you first click the button to start recording and you count to 3 in your head then say "action" so that the person your filming knows when to start speaking. At the end of the video, you would say "cut" a few seconds after their done speaking so they know you've ended the video. Padding you clips is crucial because if you don't wait a few seconds before and after your fiming, it can get cut off and you wont be able to hear the very begining and end of it. 

 

In this project there were weaknesess, strengths, and way to improve. Some places that I had a little trouble doing is filming with bad lighting, when I first filmed the lighting was a little dark. But, I did re-filmed with better lighting and it paid off! Another weakness is my time limit, I had to cut some parts out so it was more closer to the time limit. Since, I am a advanced student I knew how to do a lot more things than last year. Some of my strengths are adding my affects and the audio. Also, getting different filming angles so my video is a bit more appealing. Some ways that I could of improved is mabey some of my shaky shots. Overall, I think I did pretty good according to the class critique.

Comedy Writing

Are next project that my GT class is starting is comedy writing and comedic performance. In comedy we need to have a sense of humor. You may know a few people that already have a sense of humor that just comes naturally. Sense of humor is an important character trait because you can have the ability to laugh at others and their jokes. Most people with a sense of humor can be very outgoing. Having a sense of humor can also help people out, if they are feeling sad or angry you can say or do something funny and it would most likely cheer them up.

In this project my class went over some tips for writing a humorous narrative. Some of those tips I learned are one, to make sure you know that your narrative is actually humorous or funny, you can do that by sharing with others and if they laugh then you know that your narrative is funny and accurate. Second, you can think of a narrative that you actually experienced that you thought was funny so it makes sense. My third tip is too have expression while your sharing your narrative, that will help the audience have a feeling of how funny your narrative is. My fourth tip is the setup of your narrative like, your punchline, make sure it makes sense so the audience gets an idea and understands. My last tip is too make sure your visuals make sense as well, it will help the audience understand your narrative more.

My comedic monologue is about my sister, and how we make trouble to each other. And how she comes at me like a bull when I make trouble to her, but when I do the same I don’t come and attack her. Also, when I tell my parents on her she’ll get like a “stop” or a cut it out” but when she tells on me I get yelled at, after I’ve just gone through my sister attacking me! And it’s hard to fight back because I am laughing so hard because she makes like she’s a gigantic bus coming at you or when a cat gets in that position where it’s saying it’s going to attack or come at you. I think my comedic monologue is funny because you can just imagine this little girl just coming at you like a bull and attacking you because you were making trouble to her. And it's funny because I'm getting beaten up by my little sister! In my video you would probably get a better idea of why it's funny because it will show you what actually happens. I also think my narrative is funny because I'm here like "what.... wh...why!?" because I get yelled at and when I tell on her its like nothing. I came up with this idea for my narrative because it happens to me at least everyday, well the attacking part. To conclude, I hope the my audience thinks my narrative is funny and enjoys my video.:)

Motivational Poster

The current project that Mr. Sanderl's GT class is working on is are Motivational Posters. For this project there are several requirements that we need to have in our poster. Those requirements are that we need to have two text layers which is our Manifesto and our Quotes. We need to have 4 image layers which is our 3 symbolic pictures along with our portrait picture. For our design requirements, we need to have Kerning on all text layers so that every space is filled.  Next, is our triadic color scheme, that is 1 dominant color that is balanced with 2 other accent colors. We also need are visual balance which is a equal measurement of different elements divided into a design. Lastly, we need blending options on both text layers as well as are adjustment layers on our 4 images.

To complete this Motivational Poster, I had to go threw a lot of different steps to get the final product. The first thing I had to do to get started is get my Quotes and my Manifesto ready to be kerned. I first got all my words together and placed them where I wanted across the page. The goal for the kerning was to make sure that the text filled up all the space and so that the spacing is even and has no holes. So, I tried my best to that before I did anything else. Next, I had to get my symbolic pictures and my profile picture in photoshop. To do that, I went to finder and opened all my pictures in photoshop. I then, used my move tool to move all my pictures so that there was visual balance as I made sure to hold down shift! It took a little while and some help to place everything so that it looked good. Next, it was time for the fun part!....Text layers. I went to the triadic color scheme and chose the colors I liked. I went back to photoshop and put all my text layers on like stroke, bevel and emboss, outer glow, inner glow, and drop shadow. I also arranged the colors from my triadic color scheme on the color overlay. Now that I had my text layers done I had to do my adjustment layers on to my pictures. I went to layers, adjustment layers, and added color balance, levels, curves, and exposures. I also tried my best to make the adjustment layers match my color scheme so that it looked a little more pleasing, yet still colorful. Finally, after I was satisfied with what I had, I made sure I had all of the requirements needed and saved it and turned it to the server folder.

Going threw this project, I have faced some challenges. It wasn't easy! Some of those challenges were doing the adjustment layers so that it would match my text perfectly! It was a little hard because you have to adjust it the way you want and they didn't have the exact colors I needed, but I tried my best so that it would match. Another challenge I faced was were to place my pictures. I needed to have visual balance so that it would be even still in a pleasing way so, I asked Mr. Sanderl for help and the problem was solved! The last challenge I have faced was just recently when my class had to take screenshots of are text layers with no effects and are pictures with no effects. When I opened my photoshop document the layers disapeared and I couldnt take screenshots of those seprate layers so, I asked Mr. Sanderl what to do and he said "to either take screenshots of what happened or to redo it", I chose to explain. What happened was the layers were merged or combined into one and I could get them to be seprate so, down below I have pictures of the layer seprate to show you that the layers were not seperate and a picture of when I saved it because I might of saved it the wrong way. But, I do have a picture of the final product to show you how it turned out. I also could of improved on a couple things in this project, like adding a little more exposure on the adjustment layers and I could of made my kerning a little better. As you can see at the bottom line the kerning is a little off because the leters are very close together and theres not that much even space. Overall, I was satisfied with what I had at the end and bummed that I could screenshot the seperate layers. I enjoyed doing this project.:)