Synthesizing Media: April 2011

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Prototyping (Stage 5 - Week 7)

This is a beta testing of how the software will work when motion is detected.

We would like to thank Aslam for being a tester and Syafiq for lending us his camera.

Monday, April 25, 2011

New Location (Stage 5 - Week 7)

Prior to the discussion with Mr Erwin and Mr Bud last week, we have come to a new decision to change the location of the sound installation, from the toilet to the FCM elevator near the lecturers room. This is due to certain consequences that may happen if we were to carry out the installation in the toilet. Because of that, we have decided that it would be better if we make the elevator as a new location for our sound installation.

Below are some photos we have taken of the new proposed location.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Zone Trigger Test

WEEK 6

We will be using Webcam Zone Trigger as a motion detection program for triggering sounds.

The circle is the area where it would trigger a task when it detects motion.

When motion is detected, the circle is fill with a purple color indicating motion within the circle.

This will trigger a task, in our situation would play sounds.

Storyboard

WEEK 6

Interface Design

WEEK 6

Interface Design

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Functional Specification Worksheet

WEEK 6

Webcam

Logitech C270

Webcam is used as a motion detector that sense objects.

The specs:

HD video calling (1280 x 720 pixels) with recommended system
Video capture: Up to 1280 x 720 pixels
Photos: Up to 3.0 megapixels (software enhanced)
Built-in mic with Logitech RightSound™ technology
Hi-Speed USB 2.0 certified (recommended)
Universal clip fits laptops, LCD or CRT monitors

Sensonic 6100 Webcam

Sensonic Webcam 6100, 1.3MP with built-in MIC (up to 8MP)

The Specs:

up to 8MP resolution
light sensor (auto adjustment & LED light brightness)
1.5m cable lenght with single USB cord
6 LED lights enabling usage in dim environment
face tracking with digital zoom
plug & play

Zone Trigger

Zone trigger is a motion detection software that captures video from an input device such as a webcam and has the ability to create interactions such as automating processes.

Speaker

A speaker is used as a tool to give out interacting sound to the user.

Data Collection

WEEK 6

Male Toilet near FCM Cafe

We have gathered data regarding our installation art project that we are planning to place in the male toilet level 1 near the FCM cafe. Therefore we have made an analysis regarding the behavior and patterns of the users.

Here are what we have concluded.

The toilet mostly used during the lunch hour (1pm-2.30pm) the average number of people going in during that hours are more than 30.
Lecturers are the most to use the toilet since it is near to the lecturers' room.
The lecture classes nearby the toilet gives the large number of people due to the students prefer using the nearest toilet.
Before the class starts, the number of students going in increase abruptly.
In the evening around 4 and later, the number of people using the toilet slowly decrease.
And after 7pm to 12 pm people seldom used the toilet except the FCM Cafe's workers.

Questionnaire to help us finding the perfect sound in choosing the sound effect

We have made a questionnaire by using facebook app and then we invited friends to give a vote. Some of them even created a new answer column such as Baby's cry and weird noises.

Whisper = 13 votes

Scream = 8 votes

Baby's Cry = 5 votes

Weird Noises = 5 votes

Footsteps = 0 vote

Monday, April 11, 2011

Gantt Chart

WEEK 6

Budget Preparation

WEEK 6

Based on recent price survey at Lowyat Plaza for the equipments needed to make this installation, there are several types of webcams and speakers to choose from. Webcams range from RM30 to R300 based on the types and function. While speakers range from RM20-100 depending on the watt and size.

Below is the break down estimated cost involve

Webcam, 2pcs - RM100
Speakers, 2pcs - RM80
Laptop - Free

Total estimation cost -RM180

Flowchart

WEEK 6

Toilet Research & Data Collection Images

WEEK 5

These are the pictures inside the Male Toilet near the FCM Cafe Level 1

Research: 5 categories in sound effect

(WEEK 5

Hard Effects – Of the five primary types of sound effects in filmmaking, hard effects are the most typical. These are distinctive sounds such as a car horn, a gunshot, or the slamming of a car door. With hard effects, there is usually a fixed sound connected with the picture; for example, a trigger is pulled and the sound of a gunshot is heard. In such instances, intricate synchronizing of sound to performance – as is necessary with footsteps for instance – is usually not required to evoke realism.

Foley Sound Effects – These sound effects are recorded live by Foley artists and added postproduction to a movie to enhance both its audio quality and believability. Foley is the process of synchronizing sounds with on-screen action. Of all the different Foley sound effects, footsteps are the most common and well known. However, a Foley artist’s craft goes well beyond synchronizing the sound of footsteps to its action on screen. When you hear the realistic whooshes, whacks, and whirls of a fight scene or the clinking and clanking of silverware and dishes in a dinner sequence, you can be certain that a Foley artist worked behind the scenes adding these sound elements to heighten the movie’s realism.

Background Effects – These sound effects, also called ambiences, lend reality to a movie by giving it a sense of location. For example, if you were to watch a movie with a scene of two people talking on a busy New York City street, you would hear the honking of horns and the sound of traffic in the background. It should be noted that background effects (BG) are not directly correlated with a specific onscreen action. Even though car horns were heard in the background in the example above, if one of the individuals conversing on the city street were to get in his car and honk the horn (a sound occurs due to a specific onscreen action), this would be considered a hard effect not a BG.

Electronic Sound Effects – If you’ve ever watched a 1960’s sci-fi movie, you probably heard an example of an electronic sound effect. These effects were initially created with synthesizers and keyboards. Today, with the creation of DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) plug-ins, electronic sound effects are also created from filtered or processed organic sounds. These effects are often used as production elements for movie trailer sound beds and title elements on commercials and television shows.

Design Sound Effects – There may be a sound or sounds needed in a film to assist in building suspense or creating a sense of reality that would be impossible to record naturally (such as the delicate metallic sound of a pin hitting a tiled floor). In such instances, the services of a sound designer – that typically uses a Digital Audio Workstation – would be required to create the desired sound(s).

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