Week 10 Tutorial

XLS/ELS = Extreme Long Shot = Object very far away, only takes up 1/10th of the horizontal focus
VLS = Very Long Shot = Object Half way closer to camera as ELS, takes up 1/5th of the horizontal focus
LS = Long Shot/ Wide = Full body shot of the object
MLS = Medium Long Shot = Half body shot but object still distant
MS = Meduim Shot = Hip to head of the object
MCU = Medium Close Up = Below shoulders to just above head of object
CU = Close Up = Above shoulders of object only visible - head shot
BCU = Big Close Up = Face shot of the object only visible
ECU/XCU = Extreme Close Up = Eyes width only visible

Headroom = Ample space around head but space for others
Talking Room = an above shoulder shot with enough room next to the subject for a mirrored object
High Angle shot = camera positioned diagonally above object
Low Angle Shot = camera positioned diagonally below object

We put together a 15 second film incorporating the different types of shots and frames and looked at all the different angles  to create different scenarios.

EXistenZ vs Existence

1501HUM New Communication Technologies

Assessment 2 - Online Essay

Kelly Campbell

Tutor - Mr Chris Mamouzelos

eXistenZ vs Existence

Also:http://kellycampbellnewcommunicationtech.blogspot.com.au/

EXistenZ vs Existence

A comparative essay on the relationship between a futuristic gamer based society and our contemporary gaming experience.

Introduction

David Cronenberg's 1999 cyberpunk film ExistenZ is a world based around the playing of a virtual reality game, which has layer upon game-in-game layer ultimately confusing players between the real worlds with the advanced virtual world, that the futuristic part flesh part software gaming systems, run through and powered by the players' nervous systems, provide. From this entertainment technology, offsprings a number of societal trends all based around the reliance on this virtual reality. Economical reliance or general disregard in the games society is apparent as well as societies seeming unquestionable acceptance of the alternate reality being the most important element of their day to day.

The nature of the game is essentially adventure styled roleplaying but through an interactive bioelectronic technology. Although there are arguably extreme differences in the type of gaming in the film compared to that of the current real world, the film displays relatively alike economic and social themes when compared to our contemporary reality.

The gaming focused lifecycle becomes socially accepted as being ‘mainstream’ and the out of game social patterns become reflective of repressed violence, aggression and antisocial behaviour. The methods of entering the games virtual world in the film are part-electronic, part-biological and seem extremely far fetched in comparison with even the most advanced technologies present today. Although it would seem fair to say that if  the future of our world strived in this direction, the electronic side is mostly there. It’s clear to see the few dots that need to be joined to then cater for the engagement of every sense and ultimate ‘out of body experience’, such as weight comprehension, sense of smell or touch.

The fastest growing sectors of the economy are those interested in innovative technologies, so there is absolutely room in society for something like the eXistenZ gaming systems. However participation culture is a far cry from that of today, concerning fully engaging gaming. It would seem that there would have to be a substantial catalyst to introduce advanced virtual reality gaming to a wider circle.

Social Constructs

The film presents some far fetched ideas about society becoming reliant on an alternative (virtual) reality through the advanced sensory-engaging technologies ExistenZ offers. The social construct that to crave being in a virtual reality is acceptable becomes predominantly a norm. The problem with this is that with prolonged use, especially of games with multiple layers, users may begin to confuse the real world with the virtual one. This presents a subtle level of potential madness in society, seemingly controlled by fear, a fear of losing access to their game world like the addictive quality of a drug.

In the film’s world it is a common denominator that connects every member of society, which one would assume brings about a higher sense of community, where in reality it actually doesn’t appear to. This arises the issue held in our world about youths amplified engagement with technology causing unsociability, where in Cronenberg’s world people are connected on a subconscious level but only within the game, rather than in real life discussing the game.

Violence within the game is a theme as well, but in an odd, almost disturbingly unnoticed way and post game (in the films real world) the audience can see glimpses of this wearing off. Anderson & Dill (2000) speak about the proven links from realistically violent games and real life outbursts, which raises the question of whether the overall idea of the film, confusing virtual with reality, could come about in the form of violence. The film, in short, concerns itself with “The extent to which representation can or cannot be separated from what people in a given context consider reality as well as the potentially violent reactions people can have when they feel they have license to kill”, Hotchkiss (2003).

Economic & The Gaming Industry

The technology to aid this type of gaming revolution is not yet present but the reception from society is. Virtual reality gaming technologies are evolving at a pace so rapid it seems unavoidable to comment. The Oculus Rift is a 360 degree, interactive headset, once put on all a gamer can see is within the virtual world and it seems difficult to define it from the actual. This type of immersive gaming technology, as well as standing boundaryless walking pads and motion sensing gloves are pushing the boundaries of a previously clear line between game and real life. Podobnik J. & Munih M. (2005) discuss the ability for an in virtual world hand grasp in relation to the kinetic, mass and slip factors, to assess the likelihood of the implementation of 4d weight sensing technological advances.  Once these are considered it is clear to see the potential dots that need to be joined to move into a gaming experience much like eXistenZ. There is no doubt that if a game such as this came about with such an alternate nature, such as hyper-realistic dimensions with a storyline of real life like situations and characters playing out their lives, it would make a mark as a definitive new product.

Values seem to be rearranged in the films world, so that level of advancement in the game is one’s social rank in society. This as well as that within the game as well as their world, there is no monetary system. seemingly points toward all that matters is the game and playing the game. The only economic advances society seems concerned with fulfilling are those associated with the game technologies.

Distance of eXistenZ from our real world

While the base values of society seem a far cry from that of the real world, there are still evident the definitions of right and wrong. Motives in life seem to have changed from the ‘existence’ of the game. Most of society seems addicted to being in the alternate reality and show no real motivation to follow through with traditional life passages such as starting a family, making a solid income and being fit and healthy.

As for the technological advancements, their implementations into the everyday life of civilians outside of gaming seem absolutely limited. One would consider the potential market for simplifying of everyday tasks through an out of body or mind control system. If these gaming world advancements were indeed made it would be nearly impossible for large technology corporations, currently such as Apple, to cash in and adapt them to new products in some way. Which is not evident in the film at all. As although gaming in our real world is often at the forefront of technological advances, communication devices, cars and other everyday essentials seem to have the step ahead.

Conclusion

Most factors point toward the conclusion that the gaming trend and social acceptance is a nearer reality than initially thought, aided by advancements in digital technology and rapidly growing space for new technology developments in the economy. However there are clear exceptions to the move, such as the part digital part living organism game pods. Creepy to say the least and far from even today's industry safety standards. Extensive testing and precautions would be implemented if such things were trialed in the current setting.

The desire to experience nature in real life and be fit and healthy within one’s body will never be fully replaced, not for all of society anyway. It has been commented that ‘geography will never end and that humans fascination with virtual reality only broadens the scope of his philosophical appreciation of actual reality’, International Journal of Peace and Development Studies (2011) noting that while society may appreciate and explore technologies, it will only ever remain an entertainment form, second to real life.

References

Apperleya T H. The body of the gamer: game art and gestural excess, 2013, The University of New South Wales

Anderson, C. A., & Dill, K. E. (2000). Video games and aggressive

thoughts, feelings, and behavior in the laboratory and in life.

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, pages 772 – 790.

Bartholow, B.D, 'Effects of Violent Video Games on Aggressive Behavior'. University of Missouri–Columbia

Hotchkiss, L.M, 2003 'The Velvet Light Trap' N.52 page 17

International Journal of Peace and Development Studies Vol. 2(7), pp. 190-194, September 2011 The geopolitics of actuality Pirouz Mojtahed-Zadeh Political Geography and Geopolitics Department, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

Podobnik J. & Munih M. Robot-assisted evaluation of coordination between grasp and load forces in a power grasp in humans (2005) University of Ljubljana

EXistenZ, 1999 (Film) David Cronenberg, Canada, Miramax

Note:Most references link to source

Assessment 3 Movie

Idea: animation , film, stop motion, cuting footage from vide hosters, vimeo, youtubeTopic: must be related to new communication technologies
Tools: Goanimate.com for film editing

Can download video footage from a third party youtube/etc downloader.

Storyline, to plan out usage of tools and media to be included.

Export it as an mP$
And re upload to you tube and send tutor link.

Content should depict the message and stay meaningful.

Combine text to video with other methods to obtain best results.

PRESENTATION ideas, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6evFC5GMUEw
Cartoon, drawn style.

TOPIC ideas, 

Essay beginning

200 words to break down and define topic and aim of essay.

7.     Choose a cyberpunk story or movie. Compare the economic and social world it conjures with the real world today. How close is this imagined world to our world and are we moving towards the imagined world or away from it?

Introducing Topic 

The cyberpunk, futuristic film ExistenZ takes the viewer to an alternate, gamer focused world. Although there are arguably extreme differences in the type of gaming in the film compared to that of the real world. The film displays both alike and contrasting economic and social themes when compared to our contemporary world. The film presented some farfetched ideas about society becoming reliant on an alternative (virtual) reality; however with the aid of developing gaming technologies, these ideas could be described as what our world is heading for.

Thesis Statement (What essay is about)

ExistenZ is a world based around the playing of a virtual reality game, which has layer upon game-in-game layer ultimately confusing players between the real worlds with the advanced virtual world, that the futuristic part flesh part software gaming systems provide. From this entertainment technology, off springs a number of societal trends all based around the reliance on this virtual reality. Economical reliance or general disregard in the games society is apparent as well as societies seeming unquestionable acceptance of the alternate reality being the most important element of their day to day. 

How I Am Going To Approach

With the aid of academic journals and film analysis, the essay will aim to compare values in the world of the film to our world to distinguish factors likely to steer out world toward the films. By looking at emerging gaming technologies and stats of gamer usage and articles on potential virtual world reliance, actual technological possibilities will be assessed.

Sources will be collected and analyzed using Delicious.

Idea 1 Social

ExistenZ offers the social construct that to crave being in a virtual reality is acceptable or even a norm. It is a common denominator that connects every member of society.

The problem with this is that with prolonged use, especially of games with multiple layers, users may begin to confuse the real world with the virtual one. This presents a subtle level of potential madness in society, seemingly controlled by fear.

Idea 2 Economic/gaming industry
'optical rift'? sensory technologies walking pad, all these technologies while currently relatively new and under development and advancement are seemingly new and harmless to humans, simply a fad a new entertainment form. However future implementation of these technologies into every day life seem very different to the minimal use limited only to gaming as we see in the film.

Values are rearranged so that level of advancement in the game is ones social rank in society. As well as that within the game as well as their world, there is no monetary system. Seemingly all that matters is the game and playing the game. The only economic advances society seems concerned with fulfilling are those associated with the game technologies, including any accidental transformation of species that occur along the way.

Idea 3 How close to world

While the base values of society seem a far cry from that of the real world, there are still evident the definitions of right and wrong. Motives in life seem to have changed from the ‘existence’ of the game. Most of society seems addicted to being in the alternate reality and show no real motivation to follow through with traditional life passages such as starting a family, making a solid income and being fit and healthy.

As for the technological advancements clearly very advanced,their implementations into the everyday life of civilians out side of gaming seem absolutely limited. One would consider the potential market for simplifying of every day tasks through an out of body or mind control system. If these gaming world advancements were indeed made it would be nearly impossible for large technology corporations, currently such as Apple, to cash in and adapt them to new products in some way. Which is not evident in the film at all. As although gaming in our real world is often at the forefront of technological advances, communication devices, cars and other everyday essentials seem to have the step ahead.

Idea 4 Moving toward or away

Our real world seems much less interested in the gaming fad. Individuals who prioritize being in an alternate reality over the real world are frowned upon rather than isolated as the minority. Although amazingly rapid advancements in gaming technology would point toward the fact that we are moving closer to this world. Technology is definitely the cornerstone of our real worlds future so it may just be legible that this is where we will end up.

Conclusion
 Most factors point toward the conclusion that the gaming trend and social acceptance is a nearer reality then initially thought, aided by advancements in digital technology. However there are clear exceptions to the move, such as the part digital part living organism game pods. Creepy to say the least and far from even today's industry safety standards. Extensive testing and precautions would be implemented if such things were trialed in the current setting. The desire to experience nature in real life and be fit and healthy within ones body will never be fully replaced, not for all of society anyway.

THIRD PERSON

Week 8 Copyright and Creative Commons

Week 8 looked at defining the boundaries of copyrighting capabilities and discussing the threats, limitations and advantages of copyright. Creative commons were also discussed as an alternative to copyrighted materials and why creators may choose to share substance this way (copyright free) over ensuring their profits and authorship through copyrighting.

For me personally, I've always known the basis of what copyright is however didn't fully understand where, or how the borderlines of what can be protected, were established. I found it interesting that you can copyright every piece of material a human can produce, but not an idea. I also found it a little controversial that there are a list of exceptions to the copyrights, such as 'parody's' and material used to report news or current events. I wonder why parodies would be excepted as it opens up creators to immediately be reproduces in a humorous and often sarcastic manner with out reprimand.


TUTORIAL
I have been using Firefox after downloading it freely about a month ago and have found it as a web browsing program extremely easy to navigate and well worth looking for an alternative to the already installed standard browser Internet Explorer which came installed on my new laptop.

It was a good experience and a nice alternative to illegal downloads. After 'trialing it' I am happy with the program and if it were not already free, would even consider purchasing it properly.

Assessment Plans : Week 8

I have created a mind map of ideas and concepts to explore in the essay, on the economic and social world contrasts to the contemporary world on bubbl. Also there is a collection of sources I have found relevant to my research, also stored online on my Delicious page.

Here are a snap shot of my mind maps mid process

From this I am extending the mind map down further to specifically define my essay points and examine the contrasting worlds easily. 

Here is a snapshot of my delicious storage of resources

"The real is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go

   away."
   -Philip K. Dick (2)

Essay Topic : Week 7

CYBERPUNK MOVIE: ExistenZ (1999, Directed by David Cronenberg)

Topic: Compare the economic and social world it conjures with the real world today. How close is this imagined world to our world and are we moving towards the imagined world or away from it?

Week 7

'ExsitenZ' is a 1999 David Cronenberg film we watched briefly in class, on a futuristic gaming system that takes players to an alternate world where they live the game, each action a move in the game. The film held a deep game inside a game, world inside another world theme, done in a dramatically frightening sort of way. The players get confused on whether they are still in the game and confuse a video game with their real world reality. The film takes many twists and even at the last moment your not sure what's real and what isn't.

The issue was reflected in the lecture along with discussion, about the potential of persistent exposure to alternate realities through virtualistic video games, to cause consumers confusion between real and virtual life.

Stephen made a comment relating to playing mario cart and post game getting the feeling you could bounce off the sides of the road while driving. It seems a humorous comment at first but after some thought a daunting possibility that no doubt most have experienced.

With technological advances discussed in the tutorial such as seemingly 360 degree viewing platforms and the inclusion of the body to interact with these games, it seems not such a far out concept to confuse these virtual realities with the real ones.

Week 6 Politics Online

The ABC Vote compass sent me strongly toward my already favored party, the Greens.
Although it wasn't hard to know which answer would send you where with a basic knowledge of each parties policies.

I sign many e-petitions, weekly if not monthly. I'm a long term member if GetUp and have recently been a supporter of the anti CSG petition here and the marriage equality petition to legalize same sex marriage here.

Week 6 Politics & The Internet

Week 6
Politics & The Internet

 There are two types of democracy when the internet is concerned the first of which is cyber politics; which are the politics of the internet that exist online. New media has revolutionized the political game, from voters to fully integrated online campaigns plans. Cyberpolitics are interpersonal, as they are public. Being digitally driven, political action does not always have to be conscious, yet can be an expression of belief expressed or published with no political motive. A note I have found while doing some research is the notion that Cyberpolitics render physical strength irrelevant, so one excuse for removing women is removed. In the world of the internet, any voice can be any human anonymously, so thoughts and anger are expressed more freely with decreased potential for negative backlash, such as in real life situations.

The second type of democracy is eDemocracy. The term is described as  being internets role in real world politics, that exists predominatley off the internet.