“The Gallery” - Animation Design and Production Project:
This has been a journey. I finally completed my final project. I learned a ton about the cg workflow and how to incoporate it with live action. I’m glad I went through the process, but now I’m on to bigger things, my Thesis….
Untitled 555 Project Rough Layout:
I have been working on this project since last semester, and I finally got to the rough layout stage. Still need to add more models, add lighting, and composite the final 35 second piece. In hindsight, I really underestimated the time to complete a CG short.
I had fun watching the films at the USC Science Film Competition Showcase tonight. Here’s the link to the entry I directed and collaborated with my teammates Demi and Robert.
Logline:
A brief overview of Leonard Adleman’s 1994 research on DNA computing to solve the Hamiltonian Path Problem, aka “The Traveling Salesman”.
Synopsis:
With the introduction of tablet devices in the technology industry, the computer industry is being revolutionized. Over the years, the convention has shifted from desktops to laptops, and now tablets while becoming evermore portable. But what if instead of making computers traditionally out of silicon, we went outside the box and made computers out of DNA? Although very unorthodox, it is still very much possible create a computer by applying fundamental computer science theory in the field of biology. This sort of interdisciplinary work is what Leonard Adleman worked on back in the 90s and also what we see today as researchers from UC Berkeley are stilling working to find a breakthrough that would allow DNA computing to be incorporated into our daily lives.
Director/Animator: LaMar Ford Jr.
Screenplay & Concept: Demi Nguyen & LaMar Ford Jr.
Narrator: Robert Calcagno
© 2013 University of Southern California. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The Art of Computer Science: DNA Computing Stills
It’s the start of a new year, and I recently completed a science film for USC’s science film competition. It’s cool collaborating with other students to produce a short illustrating a scientific concept. The film provides a brief overview of Leonard Adleman’s 1994 research on DNA computing to solve the Hamiltonian Path Problem, aka “The Traveling Salesman Problem”. I animated the film in Maya and Adobe After Effects.
For more information on the USC Science Film Competition check out the link to the event: http://cinema.usc.edu/events/event.cfm?id=13234
viktorye askedThanks. Nice to meet you too.
Untitled 544 is my first major project for USC’s animation program.
Synopsis:
“Untitled 544” is an experimental film that comments on how our society watches too much media. In the film, a man sits in his chair all day with his eyes glued to the television. The vast number of mixed media images overloads the man’s senses and completely destroys him.
The video features stop motion, scratch on 16mm film, and digital manipulation in After Effects.
About the film:
I made this film a year ago. Looking back, I didn’t know any animation technique, I fought a cold with Robitussin and DayQuil, drunk a couple of beers, watched Breaking Bad for the first time, cursed at things not working when I was on the down shooter, cursed for my clumsiness, messed up my sleep cycle, slept in the cubicles for no apparent reason, stressed out on a number of occasions, I was full of grumpiness, and I didn’t know how this thing was going to turn out.
In the end, WTF I was thinking?
Here’s the link to the Argentine’s “You Are on My Mind” music video I had the pleasure to help out during the summer. It’s directed by Brissa “Breezy” Page from Scribes and Nobles. Please check it out!
Previous Blog about the video shoot: http://lamarfordjr.tumblr.com/post/28188079320/you-are-on-my-mind-music-video-production-i
Almost ready to leave for the holidays, but I have those pesky final projects to complete. Fortunately this one is fun. I animated my monster to one of my favorite Christmas movies.
Lamar Ford Jr.
