We are interested in the way a tutorial video is communicated in regards to linear step-by-step processes. In our sketches we discovered that it could be useful to produce a linear video in a non-linear structure.
We plan to develop a prototype that explores a tutorial video in a non-linear form.
How can a non-linear structure be used to present a linear tutorial in an interesting way?
Despite the fact that Troy and I have missed the past few classes, we instead collaborated outside of class and brainstormed a few ideas together for Project 4.
1. Similar to Troy’s sketch where different steps are all overlapped in a single video, we instead use different tutorials completely all overlapping at different times.
2. A image of a Kitchen, where you could access different points to show you a step in the progress, done so as a video.
3. Do it yourself adventure.
Troy and I both presented out final sketches and presentation today in front of a panel of judges. The main interest our panel had was the fact that we had presented a tutorial/instructional video with a non-linear fashion. This was done more on Troy’s behalf due to my sketches exploring the different ways a instructional video can be presented (image, storyboard, animation etc). However it was ultimately Troy’s video. where he overlayed multiple videos, and his flash sketch that really caught the eye of the judges. After hearing what they had to say and their suggestions, Troy and I both decided that it would be worth while to explore this concept on non-linear instructional a bit more in the future.
Hence our Project 4 prompt is:
To focus on the non-linear aspect of our videos and how the information can be presented in non-traditional ways and how this can be combined with other mediums.
We were interested however, in combining more then one of our ideas together to create a form of non-linear story telling that not only focused on the single aspect, but also the presentation of the video itself, since my videos had explored that side tutorials.
The most difficult video I had to make, due to the issue that i didn’t have the proper camera to connect to my computer and so my paper would keep moving or jolting. This is also another how to video that is more serious, it shows the construction of a papercrane, however it is animated so it seems that the paper is simply folding itself. The video itself I wouldn’t say is easier to follow, if I do make this a real video rather then a sketch I’d have to put a lot more detail into the folds and the video would probably turn out to be much longer. In this case, captions for this video are unnecessary as describing the folds are certain points would be near impossible to do so, therefore once again this is a visually based instructional.
For this sketch, I took inspiration from other youtube videos that use speed paintings to demonstrate their skills and talent, however the way I see it that the videos can also be a way for viewers to learn about painting techniques and how you draw certain images. There are many speed paintings but also art tutorials on youtube that are now assessable to anyone who has an internet connection. The most effective way to include steps with this video would be to include a voiceover rather than captions, this gives viewers are more intimate feel when learning. However due to the time restraints for our sketches I decided to cut that part out, and just have the main point situated in this sketch.
This is one of my more serious tutorials, it’s just a regular instructional video on how to brew some instant coffee however the voiceover – rather then it be me – is actually my father who is narrating in Chinese. It’s interesting to see the difference the language can make, because similarly to the silent instructional, if you are unable to understand Chinese you will only be able to rely on the images that are presented towards you. I also purposely let out subtitles because I wanted there to be a disparity between people who could and couldn’t understand. Obviously those who could understand what is being said in the video will have no issue in learning what is being taught here, whereas if you don’t know then you will struggle to know if you have missed an important detail that was mentioned or not in the video above.
This single digital image was inspired by something I found on Tumblr quite a while back, the original image consisted just bowls of ingredients and them being mixed together in a similar fashion as about. The image itself was much better produced then mine however, but I wanted to use this concept in our assignment but you don’t see many single images where a whole tutorial on how to cook/bake a cake is involved. The main issue I have with this sketch is that the pictures I used are not stock photos and therefore there is a little issue of copyright with me editing pictures from google images. Another big issue is that there – once again – aren’t any specific details on the image, originally in the image that I had saw there was some small details such as the amount of ingredients and how long to put the mixture in the oven however I had completely let that fact fly over my head. I’d probably have to tweak the image a little more before it can be a full instructional image.
So after creating out first few sketches, we’ve showed Seth and received mixed feedback, we still haven’t branched out enough. Out main idea is “Instructional” but we also want to incorporate other elements into our main idea as well. For the full list see Troy’s original post.
Our sketches still seemed to follow the same structure as before and we haven’t branched out enough from our original ideas. We’re probably going to have to brainstorm some more and regroup our ideas.
In this video I used an animation technique to show a hairband going onto a girls head, without the header of this short video (How to Fix Your Hair) then it would seem that the intention of the video would be rather lost. However I purposely kept at such a short length so that we couldn’t add titles or steps to it as the original intention for this video is to be a vine. With vine videos the “How to” title to explained through voiceover or text and then the remainder of the video is played out. Due to the content being so snappy and in a continuous loop it would seem to be cumbersome to leave it texts and instructions all the way through as no one would be able to see it. Also, once again this video, despite being a instructional, is also one that is more exaggerated and with humour.
My first sketch that was not a video, I explored the Snapchat platform where people could take pictures of themselves/their environment, caption it and then send it to whoever they have on their friendlist. I made this short narrative/instructional video, that had a strong blend of comedy to it (incorporating the other elements we had). The sequence follows me pouring wine, and then implying to drink the bottle and leave the glass for the morning instead. Although this isn’t a serious video, snapchat is a very interesting platform to place tutorials on, as the captions seen in my sequence do help aid the tutorial effect and people who you send snaps to will receive them in the same order you’ve sent them. the only issue being that the pictures cannot been seen for longer than 10seconds. However, it was easy, fast and simple to complete this sketch, the benefit of using snapchat was that it took away all the frills and just left you with a set of instructions and some “diagrams” on what to do.