Stop-Motion Animation Evaluation April 2013

ARD407 Ideas and Concepts and ARD409 Creative Media Production (Stop Motion Assignment)

 

For this assignment; I was required to produce a stop motion video lasting several seconds, using an model character, Dragon-Frame Software and so on. The idea of Stop-Motion is to capture your models movements with ease and fluidity. Using expression was also required as this gave our character's unique personality traits.

The first task was completing character design sheets for our characters and I also added a colour board which explored the models textures, skin tones and fabrics. I really enjoy the development process, however; I would still like to include some elements of fine art. After the designs were completed ,we moved onto making the model frames for the characters. However; I was very disappointed with this stage. Instead of us making the armatures for the models, the tutor wouldn't really let us make them. I can only suggest that he felt he was doing us a favour. As we were first years, we didn't have the knowledge to make them and lacked the confidence. But for us, it was frustrating. Not only with the tutor but our divisional leader in Art and Design wanted a model from each of us (there were 6/7 people including me in my class.) While the tutor was making the framework, I diverted my attention to my animation sequence. What setting would be appropriate? How long should the film be? How far should I move the body-parts of my character? etc... At this point, I thought that everything was in-place etc. Sadly, Glandula Fever meant I was sick for 6-7 weeks. Thankfully, there was an Easter break during these weeks, so all I missed were 2 or 3 assignments.

So what did I do during the time I was sick? I couldn't just lie there and do nothing. It was a great opportunity to get my sketchbook work out of the way and further plan my animations and an assessment coming up in May. This is what I got done:

• Completed all sketchbook work
• Completed CRB Check for work experience
• Applied for a loan/grant for my Second year at university
• Started Game Reviews for Game Trailer Assignment
• Sorting out a house for my university accommodation for 2nd year
• Updated my blog
• And something else!

    
   When I returned to university, my first priority was getting the film work done. All in all; I believe the process was going well. But during those 3 days of filming; I was hit by numerous problems. The main issues were the lighting, software, camera and the model. During these 16 seconds of footage, some of you may have noticed that the lighting varies. I tried on numerous occasions to rectify this problem by altering the settings etc but to no avail. The next issue was that I couldn't connect the camera, software and MAC. I know the movement of my character isn't perfect, this because that the model's feet didn't have magnets so flexibility was sacrificed. I improvised by placing sticks, pins or small stones at/under certain parts of the feet.

My tutor wanted to see the eyes of my character instead and showed signs of not liking my character in shades. However; I completely disagreed. Through careful consideration, I wanted to answer the brief in a different way from my peers. I wanted to answer the requirements by experimenting as I noticed that many animations only focus on expression through eyes. I realised that I could still have shades for my character. So ... I thought. To create a realistic character, I can focus on placing expressions through the mouth, eyebrows and the shades themselves. In affect, I am using the more difficult areas of expression.

Overall, I have really enjoyed this assignment.

By using Stop-motion techniques, my admiration for animators who within this sector has been very insightful and I hope I can work on Stop-motion again for my 2nd year. However; I believe that if it wasn't for technical issues, the animation would have been done in just 2 days. If I was to make changes to this animation, I would have added magnets to my character's feet and added sound effects. It would have been brilliant to add sound and it would have improved my grade. However; I have no experience in working in sound. But it's my intention to learn more about this when I return to university after the summer months. At first I thought I would be awful at animation but as it turns out... I have displayed some form of skill in traditional animation and stop-motion. And at the same time, I have really enjoyed working with these technique and I believe my confidence is growing. A great brief!

PHD's and Post Graduate Study ...

I know! I agree that my posts recently have been random. Sadly, my game reviews I have had to put on hold. These posts are part of my assessments coming up early next month. So it's vital that I get the information up there! However: I will try and keep the posts related to games or the art and design sector. And hey, just because they are part of my degree assessments, doesn't mean you guys can comment on the blog and the posts. So please feel free to get in touch and voice your opinions! :)

 

What is a PHD?

 

Level 7/8 and it's a research degree. Upon completion, this qualification recognises you as a Doctor in your area of study. PHD's are hard to achieve but are very attractive to pretty much every business. There are courses that are similar to PHD's BUT... academically their importance comes between a Master's and a PHD. This Qualification is called a Mphile.

 

A PHD is about becoming an expert in something that few others are experts in.

 

Other options

 

• MA (Master of Arts and Philosophy)

- This is a course that I'll be applying for after my degree -

 

Course Duration: 12 months

Full time and part time available

Teaches you the Philosophy and creative skills behind your area of study. (A post graduate degree is a mixture of practice and research of your specialist subject area)

 

 

MA - Art Practice (Fine Art)

MA - Design Practice

MA - Creative Media

 

"Let your practice lead your thinking"

 

Advice? If you have been accepted and about to start the course...

 

DO YOUR PRACTICE EARLY! As the written work has to be done in the summer months.

 

The aim of the degree:

 

• To resolve design problems accordingly and creatively
• Collaborate with others to demonstrate a compacity for independent study and research
• Communicate clearly and support ideas with intellectual and with critical authority
• Demonstrate an awareness of philosophical and contextual issues with contemporary practice and theory.

Positives of the Qualification:

 

• In Wales - If you have studied in a welsh in the past and apply for an MA at the same university, you will be given a discount. Instead of paying the full tuition fee of £3.800, all you would need to pay is £1,900.
• MA's offer more time to find out about your practice and what you want to research.
• You are in-charge of your briefs.
• You can research what you want to research
• You can learn from your classmates and they can learn from you

The Negatives:

 

• You can not apply for a loan or grant for this type of course! You must provide other means to fund a post graduate qualifications.
• Dissertations have to be 7,000 words or more.

How to re-inspire yourself and avoiding distractions...

There are many times that... feels as though everything is piled on-top all of us, making any real break through with studies, difficult. Believe me, you are not the first and you shall not be the last. Even if you are not a student, adults who work hard suffer the same as students. So I hope this entry helps you all, it's helped me quite a few times in the past!

 

How do we fail/feel as though we aren't progressing

 

• Easily Distracted
• Overwhelmed by everything you have to do
• Don't like being told what to do
• Difficulty Prioritising
• Perfectionism
• Fear of failure
• Too Different
• Hypo focus
• Always Late
• Do things at the last minute
• Live and work in a disorganised atmosphere
• Can't find equipment etc.

Whether your working or currently studying, make sure your working with a subject/area that you are  passionate about. I assure you that this will make everything easier.

 

Take a step back and look at yourself

 

• You probably do meet your deadlines
• What is the problem?
• What is the solution?
• What is the very worst that could happen?
• Don't compare yourself to others
• Use your imagination to your advantage
• What is really stopping you?
• When are you at your best?
• What works for you?
• Prioritising - Could this be done tomorrow?
• - Separate the things you need to do today and what you can do at a later date

What can you do?

 

• Decide on the next action
• Break things down into steps
• mind-maps/ brainstorm
• Concentrate on the starting and the finishing will take care of itself
• Learn to say no
• Delegate
• Set a timer
• Give yourself rewards
• Take regular Breaks
• Eat
• Keep yourself healthy
• Keep yourself a schedule
• Concentrate on one thing at a time
• Keep yourself away from the computer
• Work in bed
• Talk to yourself
• Listen to some music while you work

Avoiding Distractions

 

• Only check emails twice a day
• Keep yourself away from social networking sites e.g. Facebook
• Noise
• Keep your phone on either silent or vibration
• Avoid chatting
• Keep your workspace clear and tidy
• Gather everything you need for the task at hand

Which Assassin's Creed Game was the best? ...

   

 The first time since I have began reviews for games, I will be conducting a huge investigation into all Assassin Creed games. But most important of all, I will be asking you guys what you thoughts are etc. So if you would like to be part of this then leave your opinions in the comments box below and I'll make sure your comments are credited for:) Just make sure that you explain your reasons as to why you loved or hated this particular game and be creative in your answers!

 

 

 

If you have a Collectors Edition of any of the games listed above, feel free to express your opinion about the Edition:)

Assassin Creed 3 Review...

 

So much Promise... yet did not fully achieve 7 /10 ...

 

After much success from previous franchise (AC: II, Brotherhood, Revelations,) it was no suprise that AC fans were excited about the next Assassin's Creed game. The first teaser trailers showed the face of a new assassin confronting a Templar while a battle was occurring. Racing through cannon fire and masses of British soldiers: this immediately filled this game's atmosphere with high expectations and excitement. From then on; it seemed as though everyone was falling in love with the new concept, environments, historical figures and the different methods of confronting your enemies.







From the trailers I have to admit, I was very impressed, not just with the imagery but with the small hints of combat and bonding with a new Assassin. The first hour of gameplay is always about learning the ropes... literally. Here you play as Haythan, (Pictured above) who recently arrives at an Opera House to receive a mission. As you can imagine, this being in an Opera House, there is some degree of not running into people, climbing across balconies and stage areas, pick-locking doors and creeping up on some poor sod who so happens to be carrying the compass you were after. After these events, you find yourself on a ship for several weeks identifying the mysterious aspects occurring on the ship. After a couple of hours and some twists to the story, not only have you been playing as this guy for 2 - 3 hours but he is in-fact a Templar. It was only after, that we were introduced to Connor. The journey of Connor transforming himself into an assassin was quite long. The first time you see Connor was when your play hide an seek with his friends, with the village mothers telling them not to stray far and be back by a certain time. I understand that this mission was a somewhat tutorial to teach the player how to track animals or humans but there are better ways to teach the player these skills without resorting to learn them as a child. Upon leaving your village for training, the next part is convincing your mentor to take you on as his apprentice and then running errands for him while in Boston. I could go on a on with the journey missions, but I fear this would be unfair to you all.

So what were the good aspects of the game?

 

 

Well, certainly the game graphics! The environments for one thing. They are a lot more improved with unlevelled terrain and great use of weather systems. This forces the player to take to the trees to out-flank your attackers (when there's snow.) And let's not forget the use of contrasts between the seasons of the year etc. It was a great feeling to be using this method in navigating across the terrain and hunting animals. The action was smooth and unique, with stealth areas being added to creep up on an unsuspecting enemy. Let's take a look at the combat or gameplay. First off, I adored the brutality of taking out enemies with my Tomahawk and Assassin's blade. Those are my favourite weapons by far as they felt true to me as an assassin. The History. As someone who doesn't know a lot about the American War of Independence or why the British were colonising American lands, I thought this would be a great learning curve. Upon playing the game, I understood that the founding fathers were very strong, good-willed men who could lead their men well during battle. I believe that there was a lot to learn from, not only from your enemies but also important historical figures, the cities etc. From this I discovered that the cities in the game were almost identical replicas of vast maps and drawings the developers had access to during production. Not only this but also learning that American tactics were deeply frowned upon by their British counterparts. I quite enjoyed building my own community where my homestead is situated as well as building relations with the people. Connor's language and culture was very rich and fresh to the franchise. And lastly lets not forget being commander of your very own ship. The callouts and weather conditions really add a realistic atmosphere to the mini-game.

 
 

And the bad parts?

Playing as Haythan. If you guys enjoy playing as Connor's father, then by all means skip this comment. But to me, this would explain why so many people ( especially my university colleges and friends etc) felt as though they didn't have enough time to really bond with Connor's character. So I asked around... and many of my findings show agreement in my concerns for this game. Personally; Haythan should not have occurred for such a long period of time. Although it was a change to play as a former Assassin, I fear this is one of the main reasons why the game let it self down. Combat. Now before you scream at me, I have already praised the brutality of combat etc. But for me, the combat is quite long and tiresome (especially if your fighting against hoards of enemies.) Community. In previous AC games, you had allies (the Romanies, Courtesans, Mercs, and thieves) but in this game, you have none. The only faction that is mentioned is the thieves guild. This is a great shame, especially if the game is about fighting for independence. Also there is no town improving system. I know we have had this system thrice but I believe the developers could have made it a lot more intricate in terms of what uniforms you want your tenants to wear, what services you want them to offer. They could have done so much in just a faction of a game. The Chase. As the game progressed, I noticed the speed in which you kill/chase your target. I found that it was far too quick and unrewarding. Your mentor. Compared to Uncle Mario or Theodora, Achilles was by far the most uninspiring of all mentors. Yes he is wise but lacks the charisma of others. There were numerous petty conflicts between Achilles and Connor. While Connor is decisive, Caring, strong willed and filled with a strong sense of justice, Achilles shows more caution, in-action, intelligence and reluctance in Connor's actions. Time Gap. I was surprised to learn that the game was situated in the 18th-19th century. Not that I thought it was an terrible idea but I just believed the taking such a huge step in time was random and suspicious. Freezing Bugs. During certain moments of gameplay, there have been numerous times where the game completely freezes.

Conclusion



For three years of work, I believe the developers could have done a lot more. When you think of the content shown in AC2 and Brotherhood for example, AC3 is a huge step down in terms of what the other games offered. I preferred the Renaissance period as well as the sense of community around that time. It's such a great shame that for all AC3's efforts, they didn't amaze the critics.

Since the games release, I have heard vast reports confirming my concerns for the game. Could this explain why Ubisoft has already released trailers and pre-orders for Assassin's Creed: Black Flag? Have the developers realised where they went wrong? I can only hope that they have listened the fans and applied the much needed change to redeem the series.

So there you have it guys, Please feel free to get in touch. Do you share the same concerns? What did you enjoy about the game?  Feel free to share your opinions :)



 



Borderlands 2 Vault Hunters Edition Review 2013

 
Very Addicting! 10 / 10 ...



9 / 10

Let's have a look at these awesome goodies that 2K have included in our worthy investment XD
First of all let's take a look at the packaging, the illustrious style definatley sparks the return of a largely anticipated game. Textures and colour palette are strong and compliment every area of the edition perfectly. However; my only complaint is the gradiant for the background is quite dark but I understand that this was to enhance the character's profiles and domimance. But this complaint only applies to the main side of the box. Up next came the 5 inch + Marcus bobblehead. A brilliant paint job with excellent comic detail and a suprisingly substantial weight to the figurine. Along side this was the 157 page hardback artbook with concept art ranging from character development to 3D animations and weapon design (for all you gun nuts out there! XD) This makes the edition worth the price tag, lets face it, it's not common for most collectors edition's to have artbooks of this thickness and standard. Other bits and bobs include: the digital contents code, Premiere club voucher, stickers and the free comic book download. Personally I would prefer the postcards (from the loot chest edition) rather than the stickers as the graphic design is way better than the simplicity of these stickers. Another issue was the missing code for the free comic book download. It turns out, I'm not the only one. According to 2K they said that they removed the codes right at the last minute so that everyone can have it for free online. So far, I have tried to download the comic book but to no avail, therefore I shall continue to find a way past this issue. Links to these edition are included at the end of the review.



Apart from these minor complaints, this is a worthy edition to invest in. My attempts in purchasing the loot chest edition were numerous. Eventually; I found out that the loot chest editions sold out within 2 days of pre-order. wow... If your interested in the loot chest edition; check Ebay as you might get the edition for less than £220.00 (Amazon's price.) If you like the sound of the comic books, have a look on Amazon as they usually sell them at a discounted price.

 

 

A terrific sequal to it's creator... In Borderlands 2, 2K introduce four more vault hunters to Pandora: Maya the Siren (The only returning class so far...) who can use her Phaselocking ability to trap enemies and deal a serious amount of damage nearby enemies. Axton, a former DAHL soldier who can call upon his turret for assistance in battle. Salvador (the Gunzerker) who can dual-wield any weapon of his choosing and for a short period of time, deal double the damage. And lastly... a mysterious assassin by the name of Zero who can create decoys to manipulate his enemies. Despite the first Borderlands game being hugely successful, this was by far a huge step up. The inventory system, (equiping and assigning points to your characters skills etc) is alot easier to use. The vast variety of weapons are alot more intricate in terms of design, animations and sound effects e.g. Maliwan. The variety of colourful environments makes a welcoming change from the constant desert surroundings in the previous game. Character animations, voice acting and call-outs are believeable and are specially appointed to a certain type of character. E.g. Maya is quite a verocious young siren who is very proud of her god-given heritage, thus she shows off her markings more than her siren "sister,"  Lilith. As a result, her callouts often reflect her personality, "Silence!" or "I'm back bitches!"

So as you can tell, Sirens on the whole fascinate me an a games artist. Mainly, because their history is still mysterious today, that and their gifts are complicated and unique in their own right. Customisation has become a abit of a hit this time offering skins like "Admiral Kickass." or Maliwan. These skin are achieved through either progression or completed challenges. A very interesting way of making a character feeling like your own. And certainly worth the effort in collecting. Briefly I would like to add that the story was cleverly thought of in terms of the inter-linking importance that every played. Basically, you start off as being on then train along-side your allies. Soon enough you find out that Handsome Jack tricked you and filled the train full of explosives. Found unconcious by Claptrap, he takes you to sanctuary: a city where the people openly reject Jack's rule... If you havn't started the game, I will not continue. But trust me, you will face many missions and enemies... make sure you bring friends... more fun that way XD

Which brings me to this glorious section, to those who are great fans of the game so far, you would be pleased to know that Lilith (a.k.a the Firehawk) returns alongside with ex-boyfriend, Roland (Leader of the Crimson Raiders), Mordecai and Bloodwing (alcoholic and Spy) and lastly Brick (Leader of the slabs.) Old faces will also return e.g. Scooter, Moxxie etc. These guys act as your mentors as well as protectors thorough-out your time on Pandora. Indeed alot has happened in 5 years (game wise) from random appearences of Angel to filling Handsome Jack's head with bullets. However; lets not forget just how far our past charactors have evolved as people. Not only have they become leaders in their own right but their personalities have matured furthered as well as their abilities. This is reflected in their clothing. Take for example, Lilith: ever since the discovery of the vault and it's contents, Lilith's powers has surged through her body enabling her to "liquify enemies" and teleporting. Her clothing has suffered, her hair is alot longer and care free. Moving on, the enemies seem to have been given a make-over aswell. Voice wise, they are alot more talkative and there are some variety of bandits. They are in essence alot more fun to fight with!

 

One of the most enjoyable times while playing BL2, was meeting and completing quests for Tiny Tina. Her voice... was so distinct and it suited her character beautifully. Tina is a 13 year old girl who lives near Mordecai and so happens to be a explosives expert. A very unique take on a character who shows some degree of insanity while living in an area full of irratating insects and . For example, she sends you on a mission to recover her "Badonkadonks" and hosting a tea party while electrifying the bandit who was responsible for killing her parents. I cannot tell you the pleasure of watching her. A great character who deserves to be in the game! I just wish we could have seen more of her.

 

 

 Combat overall was astounding! The amount of exploration and side missions is definatley worth your interest and money. And more importantly they aid you in strengthening your character and provide you with more skill points. Claptrap has become somewhat of a legend in BL2. Trust me and look into what he says on youtube. His performance on the whole has changed for the better, giving him more of a humerous yet sarcastic nature. Afterall, I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise XD




Overall NPC's are excellent in terms of performance, combat and voice interaction. Borderlands 2 has more touching relationships than it's first. Take for example the father-daughter relationship between Roland and Tiny Tina and contrast that with Angel and her father, Handsome Jake. Having spent a considerable amount of time by herself in her "prison" and her power being openly feared and abused by her parents, it's no suprise that Angel detests her father. While we can see Handsome Jack as being this terrible overlord, his interests were protecting his only daughter but at the time, using her for his own interests and manipulates those around him. His traits do not rub off on his daughter, instead she cares and provides your character (plus allies) with useful information etc. The most touching part of their relationship was when the vault hunters faced the daunting task of killing Angel. Screaming from the monitors of Angels chambers, "Your killing an innoccent girl! Angel please! The sacrifces I have made, the people I have killed and manipulated was to protect you!" Again this is very touching, but Angel coldly dismisses this explaination as she see's this as him manipulating her further. When Angel passes away, we instantly see a change in Handsome Jack. No longer is he "merciful," as a man who has nothing left, nothing can stop someone in this mindset from creating more devastation. This indicates that Jack did love his daughter but his greed and treatment of her and innoccent people hastened her death.

 

So to conclude this review.... this is a must buy for an avid gamer who adores this illustration style and voilence. All aspects have been improved and made gameplay alot more enjoyable as well as to watch. The vault hunters edition and the loot chest edition are definatley worth your money. The best place to buy this edition is either Amazon or Ebay. Make sure the the editions are being sold by a trusted retailer with nearly 99.9% customer feedback.

Here are some useful links!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_fb_0_15?url=search-alias%3Dvideogames&field-keywords=borderlands+2+vault+hunters+edition&sprefix=borderlands+2+v%2Cstripbooks%2C320

 http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=loot+chest+edition&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Overal I rank this game as: GREAT

 

Tomb Raider: Reboot Survival Edition 2013 March Review

 

Perfect! 10 / 10 ...

 

"In order to make someone a hero, you have to break them..."

 

 

For over 2 years, there was heavy debate as to: Would we see and play another Tomb Raider game again? ... Many thought the worse. Either that or a continuation of Lara Croft VS Amanda Evert storyline. Under our very noses, Crystal Dynamics worked away on a new beginning for the Tomb Raider franchise. Situated around a horror genre with early concept images of enemies of a deformed nature... this was all we knew. Indeed Lara Croft has been cherished by the gaming industry and the gamers themselves. So to just end the story there would have been very heartbreaking to say the least. The review I complete here isn't just like any other... this celebrates what I hope to be the rebirth of future Tomb Raider games.

 

 

 

So let's begin with the edition!

 

First of all, the standard is extroadinary. Contrasts of dark purples, whites and flesh tones occur through-out on the cover which defines the survival and vunerable theme of the game beautifully. When we open the lid, the first thing you will notice is the survival pouch with the cord underneath. An interesting twist to a collectors edition if you ask me. Upon examination, the top looks sturdy enough but if you intend on using this pouch, I would advice that you only use this for a map. Next came the double sided map, very nice indeed. The posture and colour palette overall is maintained very well. The only thing that would be nice if the developers could sign it. Purchasing this edition means you will get a redemption code for the soundtrack. The game ofcourse and lastly the artbook. Looking through what little pages they were displaying, brought a smile to my face as an artist. 3D was heavily involved here along side with some character and environmental concept art. The quality of work here is ... truely breaktaking. I adore the abstractism and the use of colour, textures, balance and depth shown here. This edition was well worth the £55.00 (With the £5.00 deposit.) 

 

 

This section will be about the game. Within 10 seconds of playing, my jaw dropped (literally) :D Everything I was seeing was so crisp, fresh and rewarding at the same time. You should have seen my face when I completed the game. All elements of the game complimented beautifully with each other. The music was very resfreshing; rustic, raw and tribal (being the main focus.) The voice acting along with character animations was hugely realistic and a pleasure to watch and observe. From mountain villages, rich forests, blood filled caverns, stormy coastlines, to decaying temples: the environments were stunning! So I couldn't resist exploring the surroundings even further. Infact, there have been numerous occasions where I made Lara stand still so I could gaze at the textures and depths around her. Absolutley beautiful. Combat was also a nice welcoming edition, sometimes appearing in a cinematical sense. Lara's primary weapon is the bow. A very useful and deadly tool indeed as well aquiring a shotgun, rifle, ice axe and pistol. It was interesting to look for salvage and the upgrading options were numerous, simple and nice to see. Multiplayer is here aswell... just as good as single player in terms of combat and environments. But lacking teamwork slightly.

 

 

 

The only negativity I have heard was the sexual assualt scene and the times where Lara was seriously injured. Yes I can understand what effects this would happen on a young 21 year old woman. But I must remind you all: gamers yearn for a realistic experience. And it's very difficult to capture that in most games these days. The scene was just right in my opinion, we didn't see her harmed but neither was she undereacting. If you were in her situation... what would you do? As for the next issue, in a survival situation, things like this can happen. But the message for me is clear: Keep fighting... Survive. You must place all your prejudges and beliefs behind. This message is shown clearly in the game adding realism and experience.

 

 

To some up 4 days of pleasure: I assure you; you will not be disapointed. Every inch of the game is astounding. The amount of detail in all aspects from story, environments, combat, gameplay, multiplayer, exploration, history behind the storyline, experience, cinematics etc is perfect! I would like to thank Crystal Dynamics for such hard, dedication, care and standard shown towards Tomb Raider 2013. It is my greatest hope that we see more Tomb Raider Games in the future, especially if they are to this standard!

Thank you for reading this review. I hope you guys enjoyed it and feel inspired by it. If you guys have any questions, or I missed anything don't be afraid to ask and let me know! :D

 



ARD406 Creative futures 1 - Influence Boards

Sophie Stelfox

First Category (Movies/films)

1.       Lord of the rings

The first time I watched the series was when I was around 15/16 years old. My thoughts were of amazement. The cost of producing masterpieces like this... must have a precarious amount to say the least. However; I still hold those thoughts to this day. The craftsmanship shown within every scene and object was staggering. A perfect movie for someone who is situated within the art and design industry. The battle scenes were a pleasure to watch and I hope they consider producing an artbook covering the series and other projects relating to the series.

http://www.impawards.com/2003/lord_of_the_rings_the_return_of_the_king.html

2.       The Hobbit ( Winter 2012)

The standard has not faltered. Great use of film language and use of environments. The art and design department have done it again! Beautiful textures and genius techniques in creating everything we see. The performance of the actors was flawless; sound complimented the film with ease. The cast and film crew had great directors, guiding their visions through their actions and study areas.

http://cdn.amctheatres.com/Media/Default/images/crop-the-hobbit-dwarves-poster.jpg

3.       Ripper Street (Jan 2013- present)

Similar to Sherlock, still a welcomed addition to our TV channel. Taking place just after the Jack the Ripper murders, there is a tense atmosphere among the people of Whitechapel with the police desperate in hunting the serial killer down. I believe there was great use of acting and storytelling, with a unique set of characters and actors. Susan (Brothel Owner) is my favourite character. She has a business mind, independent with an intelligent mind and can handle herself in confrontations. There is mystery surrounding the death or disappearance of the inspector’s daughter. From watching the same episodes numerous times; I could see that as the program progressed, the further away they drift apart. The costumes are a great source of inspiration too, reflecting upon the era. Well scripted and carefully thought out. There have been some complaints against the show due to the perception of women (seen as house wives and prostituetes mainly)

http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/33100000/Ripper-Street-ripper-street-33162060-1997-2000.jpg

4.       Warm bodies (February 2013)

This is a very inspirational movie to me because Isaac Marion has created a masterpiece that isn’t predictable or cheesy. Some may argue that this is just Twilight all over again. I have to disagree with these views. Marion’s take on an “intelligent” zombie is very different compared to most literature. Instead of it being the lead females view, we have a refreshing side that reflects the males. So in my opinion, I believe we have something unique here. Very different in terms of points of view, racial and prejudices occur, simple structure yet cleaver within his writing.

http://www.apnatimepass.com/warm-bodies-movie-poster-1.jpg

5.       The Hunger Games

An interesting take on our future and slavery. There is a strong mix of strong and weaker characters. A great sense of character turmoil through trying times. There are mysterious areas surrounding Katniss Everdeen and Peeta relationship, again adding tension to it’s audience. Yet despite such mishaps, Katniss shows compassion towards selected members of the tributes but shows determination and malicious elements of her character against the others. I was also inspired by the culture of district 12 and the capitol, showing strong contrasts between rich and the poor.

http://novelnovice.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/hunger-games-movie-wp_katniss-and-peeta.jpg

6.       Avatar

The CGI (Computer Graphic Imagery) was very impressive. I admire Cameron’s involvement during the project as well as hiring the world best artists and programmers. Few describe this movie as alien “Pocahontas.”  Again this frustrates me as this type of audience refuses to look at it from a different perspective and study it further. First of all, the artwork was stunning!  The story is very complex, studying a large variety of themes and beliefs e.g. hatred and racism.

http://rosamondpress.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/avat3.jpg

7.       Narnia

A good adaptation of the book, showing two main themes throughout the film: Summer vs winter. Along with mythology; fantasy elements and warfare appear, making an intriguing combination. CGI is shown but used carefully to which I was grateful for (e.g. Aslan and the blossom trees.)  I was inspired by the production of the weapons and armours (Polystyrene, leather etc) and just how realistic they appear on camera.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=618&q=warm+bodies&oq=warm+bodies&gs_l=img.3..0l10.1198.4404.0.4654.11.7.0.4.4.0.59.362.7.7.0...0.0...1ac.1.5.img.N5HucHt5Q3Y#hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=Narnia&oq=Narnia&gs_l=img.3..0l10.12148.14229.0.14679.6.4.0.2.2.0.68.218.4.4.0...0.0...1c.1.5.img.Z_qy5vv6owI&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=54da351bbfbb6fac&biw=1366&bih=618&imgrc=nNpD6lIdQE7MYM%3A%3BMjI6g61MM8qXNM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fimages.fanpop.com%252Fimages%252Fimage_uploads%252FNarnia-5-the-chronicles-of-narnia-241401_1024_768.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.fanpop.com%252Fclubs%252Fthe-chronicles-of-narnia%252Fimages%252F241401%3B1024%3B768

8.       Hot Fuzz

Makes a change from fantastical themed films. The first time I was this movie, I thought it was well done in terms of structure and pace; the actors played their parts beautifully while adding comical tensions in certain parts. Apart from “The Bill” I do not recall any other TV program or film that situates from an officers perspective. Like Warm Bodies, I believe this was a nice change in script writing and isn’t predictable to the audience. Good use of stunts and CGI during confrontations.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnwkG3m6HdL30I0KiCscwswT_kklnqUMvwer4ivBmj0LfiF-gv_F168mev6Wvz8PWKijEZW9QuscMm_v_ZDqHEP6f7uW7ckmjhBoohqFHdlRCBwYQ0By7mlNqKAi1RmNjM8sJCxksb6Wy/s1600/hot_fuzz.jpg

9.       An idiot Abroad (2010 – Present)

What could be better than watching a grumpy old git being forced to travel around the world? The answer is not alot in my opinion. Compared with precious favoured films, there is no CGI here. The focus is Karl Pilkington. This is someone who doesn’t like mixing with others and hates travelling and doesn’t pretend to be a different person. There are occasions where he appreciates his surroundings but remember, he has been placed in these situations/ surroundings against his will. And it’s the creators that place him in unhygienic accommodations and not very... great tourist attractions. There is comedy through his misery and explanations which is what inspires me as he reminds me of a family member.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1IX4GpkdFePhI5sIukkPQdVGUo_YzCaXXvEFJaEykqmbmKhAeBi6udhD6_CbuJq8sY_CmtOKAAEyBRx0aM0swmOBLFQTBspLTe2LVn846gbiHJ9f4cro6uQzqFpQXRuG_gNUsbxkDZrr/s1600/An-Idiot-Abroad-Sneak-Peek-Photos-Karl-in-Peru-11.jpg

Second Category (Artists)

1.       Bethesda Studios (Lucas Hardi)

Original background was engineering but opportunities meant he could enter the game art industry. Recent works were Skyrim and Dishonoured (Bethesda.) The artwork can be seen in the Skyrim collector’s edition. Within it’s contents are some of the best pieces of artwork work I have ever seen. I believe that they would have used a wide variety of media from mixed media to digital art, and different forms of filters. These images inspire me because there are very strong occurrences of history (Vikings and Nordic culture.) Colour palettes and textures include abstracts, dark tones of blue and greys with occasional areas of lush greenery and misty textures.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8185021992_382ba07dbb.jpg

2.       Andy Goldsworthy

Goldsworthy’s work is very inspirational to me because he works with a wide variety of 3D materials and prefers to create reasonably sized sculptures. What more interesting, he uses water within his creations, capturing them being taken away by the currents. Incredibly, he records their dying state as well as showing how they developed through time and climate conditions. Works include Bright Sunny Morning Dec 1987 in Japan and so on.

http://amazingstuff.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/goldsworthyIcicles1_op_592x600.jpg

3.       Jenny Saville

“Bodies fascinate me. I find having the framework of a body essential. Having flesh as a central subject, I can channel alot of ideas.” – Jenny Saville.

An abstract fine artist who is inspired by the female body. Working in installations and oil paints, these pieces are painted in an abstract manner. I adore Seville’s work because of the detail she shows using certain types of brushstrokes and then enhances these using oil paints and the amount of paint applied to the area of interest. Her use of colour creates beauty, even in some of her grotesque studies of the human body. However: I admire her dedication towards human anatomy to which I believe I can improve myself on. Works and exhibitions include Rosetta 2 (2005-06) and “Sensation: Young British Artists from the Saatchi Collection” at the Royal Academy of Arts, London 1997.

http://michellevaughan08.wordpress.com/2011/06/03/jenny-saville/

http://www.gagosian.com/artists/jenny-saville/

4.       Faith 47

A graffiti street artist who expresses herself often using women in her work. I believe she uses a mixture of media from paper to spray cans and acrylics. In many of her pieces, I have noticed that she prefers spirituality and ruined buildings rather than the new and modern. I believe she prefers her work on those walls because they reflect her love for spirituality and like Goldsworthy; she situates them on an area that’s only temporary and in danger of being destroyed forever. Overall, her work is very fluent and graceful showing beauty and stature.

http://jibberingart.co.uk/files/2008/06/faith47-paste-up.jpg

5.       Leonardo Da Vinci

An exceptional man who excelled in inventing, painting, maths, science etc. His attention to detail is truly breathe-taking. In his notebooks, despite them being written in a different language, I can understand his dedication in his studies through the pages he wrote on. Works include Virgin on the Rocks and Mona Lisa. His talents heavily influenced the renaissance era and the lands situated within them.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Leonardo_da_Vinci_-_Female_head_(La_Scapigliata)_-_WGA12716.jpg

6.       John Hicklenton

Most accomplished work was 100 months, detailing the story of a goddess whose revenge slaughtered the world showing mercy in the end.  The images were one of horror yet displayed such incredible detail through his media and brilliant storytelling and character development. Sadly he died in Mar 2010 after a lingering disease. I believe 100 months, reflects global warming because during a press conference, David Cameron warned that if we don’t alter the course of global warming, then there is no chance of stopping what is to come. The links between these two are strong and show a high level of intelligence and creativity.

http://www.hypergeek.ca/wp-content/gallery/press5/screens_johnnyhicklenton3.jpg

7.       Thmnstr (Olly Stephan)

I am inspired by this artist’s work because he shows a different yet interesting perspective on how an artist/ designer can work and reflects this in his works.  Themes include sex and violence, history and superheroes. Working mostly in mixed media and Photoshop, Stephan shows high degrees of knowledge within using either a brush or Photoshop. He inspires my work because I feel as though I can relate to him through mixed media and gives crucial advice to those artists who aim to improve their skills.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7231/7352246730_9118614f5e_z.jpg

Category 3 (Actors/Directors)

1.       Cate Blanchet

Blanchet’s performance during Elizabeth and Elizabeth: the Golden Age and The Hobbit was breath taking. In the first two films, we see her character changing emotions of anger, compassion, charisma, independence, leadership, sadness etc. I believe these films firmly explore survival and power, which hundreds of years ago took a lifetime to achieve. If we compare this to the Hobbit, her composer is alot more graceful and calm. Here we see her holding counsels between three different races, each granting them advice and shows some abilities in mental communication. Her voice is exceptional yet no dought must be enhanced using voice editing. Neither the less, during her appearances, I believe in what she says and how she reacts, her performance is very real which few actors manage to master. 

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbez5xI0rR1HAYTtBgI8Gp7ryCOhh-IpK9ynkd3ipav8L0ABfDB3tmxjE5Mcrx57FepSh2e0-j33yM2b_iyA4yJF1l_7RB_R3abY73RN4d1QHCCHzfU6ptXo1nzasah3livEYcRhBPOZZ/s1600/cate_blanchett_image.jpg

2.       Jeff Dunham

Mining the Monsters (recent work winter 2012) was the Halloween show where the characters were allowed to dress up in what scared them the most. All in all, the performance was brilliant. Characters include Walter as Frankenstein, Bubba J as Count Dracula, Peanut as Batman, Jose as Robin, Little Jeff as The Loser and Achmed as an American woman. Dunham is very inspirational because he aims overstep the limits making each shoe different and unique. I appreciate the way he tends to bully himself through his characters, a more welcoming edition to stand up shows.

http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2012/08/09/9784672/jeff-dunham-tickets.jpg

3.       Andy Serkis

A master actor who is mainly known for his role in Lord of the Rings and Enslaved and the Hobbit. During the production of Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, Serkis performed as Gollum, has been seen as leader of certain set divisions and acting on behalf of the creators/ directors.  I’ll be honest, it isn’t very often we come across actors who can pull off such weird yet distinct character and voice.

http://www.serkis.com/images/kong/DSCN0028.jpg

4.        James Cameron

Cameron is famous for his creations on Titanic and Avatar. These films have taken the world by storm, out rivalling many other feature films. The contrast between these films couldn’t be more different. For example, Titanic is a historical period drama situated in April 1912 whereas Avatar is hosted in the future where we are mining for the earth’s survival and are able to transfers our sub conscious to certain bodies. His writing and visions are masterpieces! Changing from historical to futuristic surely displays how creative his mind can adapt and still show perfection within his projects.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WRtMK-jhsVY/UNX907duTZI/AAAAAAAAlPw/oHLPFEa5Pbk/s1600/James-Cameron-Rolex-Submariner-0011.jpg

5.       Seth McFarlen

Known for his work on Family Guy, American Dad, TED and the Cleveland Show, McFarlen shows creative yet controversial writing, adding jokes that often demean women or racially. Twice fox cancelled family guy and twice they decided to continue the show due to sale figures and fans contacting FOX. McFarlen is a firm believer in guy rights and women’s rights. To some people, this can be seen as confusing and contradicting. Not only is he the creator but he also voices certain lead characters such as Peter Griffin, Brian Griffin, Quagmire, Tom Tucker and several other male roles. Each voice is very strong and distinct to which is very unique and irreplaceable.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbvmaY7DJiubQ1jQ9q_jZcpOUvvy4Zq1aYcs8tAGUYnDM91FcLoaoWZLQrZyqypYlvKvYmAFdhtCCSZSc3Vtz1zJ8tQbcXFHWEUoM3NA8fKRnPC_q6sR8kRNTgkjXXuNRdLRGWTgq4ciw/s1600/Seth_MacFarlane.jpg

Category four (Periods of history)

1.       The Renaissance

This era was dedicated to science, religion and art. The term Renaissance means “rebirth,” an era where education was one of the highest priorities and even enabled women to take part. Inventions were also taking a toll at this time, For example, Printing was becoming popular as it’s alot cheaper then hand written manuscripts. Carnivale was also a very inspirational source where masks were used to cover the individual identity, prostitutes or courtesans roamed the streets and games were creative as well as dangerous. Artists around this period include Leonardo Da Vinci and Marcello.

http://english-text.ru/image/The_Renaissance.jpg

2.       The Battle Of the Boyne

A key moment in acquiring Britain’s independence during a time of religious strife.  This was the first time that a civil war was settled in another country between two men who have been crowned king of England. “An exiled king in search of a lost throne” (Peter Snow- Battlefield Britain.) This period of history inspires me because this was the starting point where the Irish people grew wary of English occupancy. Despite their differences; both sides had some very inspirational leaders (King William and Sir Neal O’Neal for example) leading their men into battle and showing mercy towards the enemy. Under equipped, lacking in numbers and kingly leadership, James II fled the battlefield way ahead of his army who were still fighting the Williamites at the river Boyne.  James spent the rest of his days under the protection of the French king and died there. Upon learning of how poorly James behaved as a military leader, the Catholics in Ireland resented James and his cowardly leadership nicknaming him “James the shit.”

http://subversify.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/battle-of-the-boyne.jpg

3.       Medieval/manuscripts

This era was all about Christian and knightly virtues and exerting their power and leadership through illuminated manuscripts. The books were crucial tools for a sovereign, so there are no surprises if I was to inform you that these were luxury goods. The process of which these manuscripts were made truly fascinates me as an artist. Several weeks of processing involve soaking the skins (Animal) into urine, drying and scraping. The aim of the process was to remove the hair without marking the writing surface. Overall this was very labour intensive. Binding was the next stage once the vellum pages were ready. Once that was completed, the manuscript was then handed over to the scribes and artists. For something to meet the standards of the royal court, more than one artist was employed during this project. Historia Anglurum by Matthew Paris took over 6 months to write and illustrate.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rHyIguh-Nv2-h2hBFAIBhwCfkx_nQZIm6e4cIwN2A-GyNv8uaXG9rUimzPOllMATdYSevuPKutKoNRWv97OkkFvO9fK_s4F6yqz4YyYGEIUoWGygKWnc_Ime2LdrPjBNIclCvuxc8VTK/s640/5eyewgdfgvdfvd.jpg

4.       Ancient Egypt

Egypt’s history dates back over 3,000 years ago. From then till now we saw them as hunter gathers from various tribes emigrating from the desert. And as the ages passed, their lands became prosperous and rich in jewellery making along with strong religious influences. Their mythology and art inspire me the most. For example; they are known for being the only country that invented folding furniture, their understanding in medicines excelled roman methods. The Egyptian queens were a huge part of their history but women in general were considered equal. They could control their husband’s lands if he was away on business, she has the right to divorce and she could keep her property.

http://www.onthegotours.com/repository/AbuSimbelBoltonEgypt--48051241701356_800_600.jpg

 

5.       Vikings/ Saxons

Christian warriors like Athelstan built the first foundations for the English nation. At this time, the future of a ruler was very uncertain. Uprisings were common, that demanded not just military leadership but diplomacy aswell. This was also the beginning when manuscripts were becoming a necessity for a monarch; these books enhanced the king/queens profile for the right to rule. Rulers such as Queen Emma used the power of the manuscripts to their full advantage, enabling them to rule peacefully. Wife to two kings and mother to two kings, perhaps this explains why Queen Emma was such an important historical figure. Vikings were seen as bloodthirsty, thieves, rapists and violent. However records and historians prove that this was not always the case. In fact, they liked personal hygiene, their laws were fair, and they were quite sophisticated in terms of architecture and literacy.

http://medievalfragments.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/bayeux-tapestry.jpeg

Category five (Games)

1.       Elder Scrolls: Skyrim

Released in autumn 2011, this was a huge step up from Elder Scroll: Oblivion. With a wider range of voice actors, NPC’s, environments, characters and enemies, it’s no surprise when Skyrim was made game of the year. There are strong elements of history (ice wraiths,) mythology and fantasy within the game. The game offers the player freedom in terms of exploring and decision making.

http://www.gamewpp.com/wallpapershd/skyrim-dragonborn-wallpaper-hd.html

2.       Assassins Creed Series

From the crusades to the Renaissance and the American Revolution, this series has become a huge hit around the world. This game offers the player the chance of reliving your characters past memories using the animus. The affects of misusing this can prove fatal. It all begins with the “bleeding effect” where the character can detect codes or certain memories that were devasting or secret, further misuse will bring lingering hallucinations, headaches, then madness and eventually death. The concept the developers have come up with, is brilliant to say the least. However; they realised that they had to be careful as they weren’t certain that gamers would play a history game, so that’s when they decided to bring modern day touch and some elements of the future.

http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/32300000/Assassin-s-Creed-III-assassins-creed-32346288-1920-1200.png

3.       Borderlands 2

A strange yet surprisingly addicting game. Computer graphics theme a more illustrious style rather then something you would see on Call of Duty or Fallout.  I would describe this as fantasy/ sci-fi western game. There are strong elements of murder, loot and bandits. You can choose one character from five whom as follow: Axton as the Commander, Maya as the Siren, the girlfriend as the Technomancer, Zero as the Assassin and Salvador as the Gunzerka. On the whole, Sirens fascinate me not only as an artist and gamer but also a sci-fi fan. According to the population, there can only be six sirens at only one given time (generation possibly) and women are the only ones who can posses these supernatural abilities. Their powers originate from the various vaults located around Pandora and blue tattoos are visible completely on one half of the body. When their powers are activated, the tattoos glow intensely.  So far, we know that three sirens appear in the game (Lilith, Maya and Angel.) Overall, this area of borderlands fascinates me.

http://images.vg247.com/current//2012/04/Borderlands2_handson_screen9.jpg

4.       Bayonetta

Imagine using your hair and clothes to summon demons and using the guns on your shoes to attack your enemies? I know it sounds odd but at the same time, pretty exciting. I believe there is no other game that’s similar to Bayonetta. In this game you play as a witch who practises in the dark and bullet arts (acrobatics and guns.) Her aim is to track down “the right eye” and keep sending angelic souls to hell everyday or they will kill her. An intriguing concept in terms of gameplay, graphics, story and exploration. The environments are very intricate yet abstract and the combat is very... thrilling.

http://uk.playstation.com/media/gsVgmHsG/BayonettaHero.jpg

5.       Far Cry 3

A game based on how far our minds and bodies can go to. In some ways this game is similar to Borderlands 2 what with most of the inhabitants being somewhat insane themselves i.e. Tiny Tina. I can understand that not everybody will like this game due to how some people treat animals (Blowing up monkeys DLC,) destroying drug crops and torturing your friends and family. Although these are very controversial actions, I still believe that this could reflect real events and adds originality to the game.

http://allthingsxbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Far-Cry-3.jpg

6.       Tomb Raider: Reboot

As the game hasn’t been released yet, I cannot comment on the gameplay. However, I can discuss demos and artwork. It’s quite refreshing to see our playable characters placed in survival type situations or games. So far we see Lara getting impaled, getting attacked by cannibals, packs of wolves and getting sexually assaulted.  Many would criticise the developers for these choices. However; to me these are very inspirational. These situations are designed to make us think... whether we like it, these situations happen to those unlucky individuals. I can understand people’s concerns about this but all the time, gamers want a realistic experience, something that isn’t repetitive or predictable. Mythology appears here aswell. I will review this game on my blog as soon as it’s released.

http://www.gametrailers.com/side-mission/files/2013/02/TombRaider_OST.jpg

7.       God of war 3

A game where, mythology, sex, violence and revenge collide. Betrayed by all those around him, Kratos (the former god of war) embarks on a series of missions in taking out his revenge on the gods of Olympus. This is a very inspirational game to me because the attention to detail is in depth in terms of history and mythology. The idea of a former god killing his kin is a fun idea to say the least. Character illustrations and gameplay overall are brilliant, a true demonstration of what artists in the games industry are capable of.

http://www.videogame247.it/media/2010/01/15/image_god_of_war_3-12091-1708_0004.jpg

Category six (Authors)

1.       Trudi Canavan

Canavan’s works include Novice, The magician’s apprentice, The High Lord, the Traitor Spy trilogy and Traitor Queen etc. To me, these novels are in depth in terms of the politics, lessons in magic, the magician’s surroundings, storytelling, laws and characters. There are elements of renaissance (Alchemy, war, science, bookshops) which are a pleasure to read about. The intricate lifestyles and ever changing laws demonstrate through paper that the rules are always changing where alliances must be made.  The books were a pleasure to read.

 https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=John+Hcklenton+prints&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&biw=1366&bih=618&wrapid=tlif136206563568611&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=7XgvUa7jJquR0QW6zIGwAQ#um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=trudi+canavan&oq=trudi+canavan&gs_l=img.3..0l2j0i5j0i24l7.16878.20440.0.20893.13.13.0.0.0.0.284.975.12j0j1.13.0...0.0...1c.1.5.img.ASsY9rpCh4M&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=54da351bbfbb6fac&biw=1366&bih=618&imgrc=96zDjwhyh2C6MM%3A%3BMh1F_FhJOgUUrM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmedia-cache-ec3.pinterest.com%252Favatars%252Ftrudicanavan_1333603427_600.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fpinterest.com%252Ftrudicanavan%252F%3B300%3B300

2.       Dan Jones

Jone’s take on the Plantagenet kings and Queen of England is a welcomed edition to the history books. When I was at school, all we are really taught were the six wives of Henry VIII which to me was basic stuff. The focus was based on how he was desperate for a male heir and how unfaithful he was towards Anne Boylen.  As you can expect, this gave me the impression that women on the whole were regularly abused through a man’s will or law. The Plantagenet’s explores both the male and female sides and how they played their roles through-out history. From reading this huge document, I was relieved to know that Queens such as Isabella, Matilda, Phillipa (mother to Edward III) were very strong, independent and adored by their husbands. These Queens acted as regents if their husbands were away at war, and occasionally some Queens take the advantage and conspire against the king himself, allying themselves with the king’s enemies. Thrilling in terms of storytelling, fast passed but brilliantly written.

http://www.summerofblood.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/dan-headshot-300x273.jpg

3.       George .R.R. Martin

Creator/writer of the Game of Thrones series. This is a world where every inch of land and the people who inhabit are brutal, often cruel hiding behind dark secrets. A darker alternative to Xena: The Warrior Princess. A great variety of evil and naive characters but at times the series can get repetitive. The conversations are often long and dull, but when we get to other parts, in some way, this makes up for the lack of “thrilling” feeling. Overall not a bad series, there are good and bag qualities.  The Most intriguing character for me is Sansa’s younger sister; Arya. She is the complete opposite to her sister. Sansa is very naive, vain and tends to image things as a fairy tale, shows high degree of knowing the right thing to say and manners. whereas Arya; despite her age shows strong degrees of seeing how the world truly is. Adored by those around her; the people are more than willing to aid her instead of Sansa thus gains respect. Even one of the young fighters teaches her how to use “Needle” effectively. When her father discovers this, I see that he is generally touched by his daughter’s interest and permits her to keep it. Personally, I would say that this area of the book inspires me the most. The relationships that Arya has with her peers are very touching and genuine.
 

http://filmcrithulk.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/george_rr_martin_-_credit_karolina_webb_1_jpg_627x325_crop_upscale_q85.jpg

4.       Sarah J. Maas

A rare take on the life of a young female assassin. This book has similar qualities to that of Cashore’s Graceling in terms of a strong-willed, independent and intelligent lead female. But here the character faces more peril and deadly negotiations.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DvufJSNEIqs/T-lI3BE2dvI/AAAAAAAABf4/P9-P6u9yqt4/s1600/SarahMaas.jpg

5.       Kirstin Cashore

Graceling: A discreet world where secret societies operate under the noses of corrupt rulers. Onto of this, imagine certain young men and women possessing special abilities or graces (e.g. Killing, Survival etc. Some become assassins, some become slaves... and some make themselves free. In Cashore’s novels, Graceling’s are feared because of their abilities, as many of these skilled men and women use them for evil means. Politics, love, battles and assassinations are a pleasure to read and analyse.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=John+Hcklenton+prints&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&biw=1366&bih=618&wrapid=tlif136206563568611&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=7XgvUa7jJquR0QW6zIGwAQ#um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=kristin+cashore&oq=kirstin+c&gs_l=img.1.3.0i10i24l2j0i24j0i10i24l2j0i24j0i10i24l3j0i24.7652.12752.0.14776.9.8.0.1.1.0.104.694.5j3.8.0...0.0...1c.1.5.img.CICAto7VCmo&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=54da351bbfbb6fac&biw=1366&bih=618&imgrc=BdDBC8xaKzkiuM%3A%3B2uKsc7KvfPO5zM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F3.bp.blogspot.com%252F-wqH1kY_shDM%252FUA6MA-H99eI%252FAAAAAAAAAqk%252FO4jBB1WzywA%252Fs1600%252Fkristin-cashore.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Ftrac-changes.blogspot.com%252F2012%252F07%252Ftuesday-muse-kristin-cashore-on.html%3B460%3B687

6.       Brandon Sanderson

(Very Similar reasons to Graceling and Game of Thrones)

7.       Elizabeth Lev

From reading the contents of this book, I feel empathy for Sforza as Caesare Borgia imprisoned her in Castel St Angelo with rumours of rape involved. Caterina Sforza was widely known as “The Tigress of Forli” She earned the respect and fear of her soldiers and people, not only through how she governed but also through how she treated her enemies. Her strength is very inspirational to me as she nearly succeeded in gaining her independence from the Borgia’s. She was willing to sacrifice her own children to protect the lives of her men and people; this shows her determination and courage. Something of which we could look up to. Her characteristics inherit from her family as they were from a mercenary background. On the whole, it’s no surprise to see why she remains as one of my idols.

8.       Isaac Marion (See No.4 in Films/movies Category)

 

9.       Stephan Baxtor

Baxter’s work on the Science of Avatar was not only intriguing but also convincing. Not only does he explore the movie content but he explores the scientific aspects where he provides solutions and questions with the uncertainty of our future. The structure of his writing is easy to grasp even if the reader isn’t familiar with science. The Ozone layers, bringing farms into the cities and cloning water and environments are only a few of suggestions Baxter mentions through-out his book. And what makes it inspirational... is that all of this is possible. Just imagine the discoveries we can uncover through research. Even a minor discovery can alter the major ones in the future. Through Avatar, the scientists have trusted artists to create an artist’s impression of all these possibilities.

10.   Dave McKean

Upon reading Batman: Arkham Asylum, I was extremely impressed with the mixed media type textures McKean used for the graphic novel. They reflect a moody and dark atmosphere and very little use of light. I believe McKean has used a combination of mixed media of graphic design. I have used techniques similar to this when I was attending college at Mid Cheshire, where I made certain areas of the paint illuminate. I hope to continue using this technique in future assignments at university.