Big Idea Project Paper

Meghan Borders
Media Arts 2
Mr. Aumiller
21st February 2012
                                                                             BIG Idea
     To be honest I'm still not entirely sure what exactly my big idea is, but I think I am getting closer.  I think my work has alot to do with vulnerability and control (or lack there of).  That's not as clear-cut an idea as I would like but I'm confident about the direction I'm going. A big influence of mine is Jan Schwankmeyer. While I don't think his big idea is quite like mine, I see alot of vulnerability and control as elements in some of his films.  His work is dark and surreal, but also very humanistic.
      I think the better my art making process is going, the better the end product. It's hard for me to get started sometimes, but once I get into the zone I can get so much done. I wish I had been setting aside more time to "get in the zone" but I've been so busy trying to finish other governor's projects and keeping up with school.
     I learned more about what I wanted my big idea to be as I worked through the project. I also realized I always start off too ambitious and have to cut back on things.  Photoshop is also something I am continuing to battle. But there must be a way to do it. I mean I just saw a good old fashioned 2D animation in the theaters today. It can't be that hard.
    While it may seem like I'm not making too much progress towards finishing this project, I promise that I am still very determined to finish by Governor's deadline.

Assessment

1. What was your initial reaction to the Big Idea Project?
    After hanging around Art Portfolio for awhile I understood what a big idea was, and had started to think about what mine should be, but couldn't really think of anything that suited my work.
   
2. What was the biggest challenge you experienced doing the projects?
   Trying to tie in a big idea with a previously existing plan for an animation.
   
3. How much did the Idea Blog and the first writing assignments help you to create works of art?
   It helped me to get my ideas organized and also to more clearly see what ideas were not going to work too well. It's a good place to look back for all my future projects
   
4. How often did you find yourself coming back to the Idea Blog for inspiration or reminders?
   Pretty much if every scene I rationalize how it ties back into my big idea.
   
5. What part of the project was the most meaningful and important to you personally?
   It is great to be working on a project that is all my own idea and not part of an assignment. Also the extra time to work on one thing is very helpful and has taken out much of the stress that comes with making an animation.
   
6. How did you structure your time to meet deadlines?
   I work on the cartoon when I can and really hope to have it finished by Governors deadline.
   
7. What would you change about your own time management if given a second chance?
   Stop doing homework for all other classes and focus solely on art making. Maybe give up eating and sleeping too.
   
8. Do you think I had appropriate expectations of what you could do in the given time? Why or why not?
   Sort of. I feel like I have accomplished a lot during this time, but not as much as I wanted to. There is just so much else I have to worry about in addition to this class. And when I can hardly find the motivation to even open my eyes, animating becomes an even more daunting task.
   
9. How could I have helped you achieve more?
   I don't know. I think this project is my responsibility to finish and I am the one who would benefit from it. More free time in my day would be nice, but I don't think you can do that for me.
   
10. What is your current opinion of the Big Idea Project?
    I'm a little scared for portfolio because I still don't really know what my big idea is. It's my work and I should be able to talk about it's meaning but whenever I do people tell me I'm wrong. I'm thinking I need to come up with an idea that does not try to encompass all my previous work, but only applies to future projects. I respect and appreciate the opinions of my teachers but I think I rely too much on them. I want to have an idea I feel completely passionate about and stick to it no matter what.