Task #18 Completed: Create A Stop Motion Video (Kim)

18.  Film a stop motion video.

1. Stop motion: a cinematographic technique whereby the camera is repeatedly stopped and started, for example to give animated figures the impression of movement.
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I attempted to film the stop motion video when I created Open When letters for my friend Molly.  However, I never posted the video because although it was a learning experience, I didn't find the video to be any good or interesting to watch.  Once again, I attempted a stop motion video with the melting crayon art project.  Since I asked for a tripod and received it as an early Christmas present, I had the added benefit of the tripod.  However, I once again was not impressed with the results.

I have decided to combine the videos and post them anyway to show my improvements.  I have learned the importance of keeping a camera perfectly still; even with a tripod I struggled with this skill.  In addition, stop motion is very time consuming.  Each movement takes about twice as long with the added necessity of pressing the camera button.  I think that when done correctly, stop motion can be a fascinating technique.  I hope that next time I attempt a stop motion video, I will have learned from the mistakes you see here and succeed.

Task #2 Completed: Write A Letter to Your Future Self (Kim)

2.  Write a letter to your future self 

Okay, I'll admit it.  Writing a letter to my future self was a little weird.  But in about five months from now, I think I'll be glad I did it.  If I'm not moved by what I've written to myself, at least I'll be amused.

When Rachael and I first came up with this task, we thought it would be interesting to write a letter to ourselves in September and open it on graduation day.  For Project Explore, that is not realistic because I would not be able to open it prior to the presentation.  Instead, I wrote a letter to myself to open just before my presentation.  I think that will be a nerve-wracking day, and I'll need some of my own sage advice.  Maybe sage is too strong a word....oh, well.  Here are a few excerpts from my letter.