The third solution is meant to intimidate the viewer and catch their attention. The angle is rotated so that the wave is coming towards the screen to make the wave appear to be approaching the viewer. This creates a sense of fear and intimidation often recreated in action movies. People watching the news at home might find this video being broadcasted to preceed a big story.
The second solution is more educational and the mood is serious. The visuals are more detailed and the audio description is more thoroughly explained. This is suitable for a science program on TV like Discovery Channel or Planet Earth, and is aimed at college students and young adults, those who usually watch these programs. The setting could be at the viewer's home.
The first solution takes on a childish mood. This is ideal for an easily understood synopsis of the subject that briefly and explicitly explains what is happening in the picture. The ideal setting for this type of video would be a middle school, or lower grade level, classroom. Middle school students would most benefit from this video and shareholders include educational companies that publish scientific videos.
National Geographic News. "Tsunamis: Killer Waves." National Geographic. Web. 5 Aug. 2013
National Geographic News. "Tsunami Facts: How They Form, Warning Signs, and Safety Tips." National Geographic. 2 Apr. 2007. Web. 5 Aug. 2013.
Putra, B.S. Virgananta. "SINK | a 3D animation short movie based on tsunami simulation using Blender 3D Software." Youtube. 18 Jan. 2013. Web. 6 Aug. 2013
Zeledon, Rodrigo. "Coastal Protection." MIT Mission 2009. Web. 6 Aug. 2013
Before starting designs, multiple hours of research was conducted to determine how waves move, how they build and approach the shore, and what actual methods civilizations have taken to protect themselves.
I looked into Youtube and found several videos showing ocean animation.
Video 1: SINK | a 3D animation short movie based on tsunami simulation using Blender 3D Software.
(Putra, B.S. Virgananta. "SINK | a 3D animation short movie based on tsunami simulation using Blender 3D Software." Youtube. 18 Jan. 2013. Web. 6 Aug. 2013)
Video 2: Tsunami Animation - Ocean Shader - Blender Fluid.
From my research on tsunamis, I have uncovered the following information about Tsunamis.
Tsunami is a Japanese word. Tsunamis are most common in Japan and have caused devastation in the country for centuries.
A tsunami occurs in a series of waves, or a "wave train."
Tsunamis can be as long as 60 miles and come in intervals as long as an hour apart, and travels at speeds up to 500 miles an hour.
At the point of inception, a tsunami wave can be only a foot in height on the ocean's surface. They grow larger as they hit shallower waters due to the water build up and friction on the ocean floor.
(National Geographic News. "Tsunami Facts: How They Form, Warning Signs, and Safety Tips." National Geographic. 2 Apr. 2007. Web. 5 Aug. 2013.) Link to article
Common ways to protect against tsunami waves are vegetation, such as mangrove trees and dunes, and sea walls. (Zeledon, Rodrigo. "Coastal Protection." MIT Mission 2009. Web. 6 Aug. 2013) Link to article
A tsunami’s trough usually reaches shore first. When it does, it produces a vacuum effect that sucks coastal water outward towards the sea and exposes the sea floors. This retreating of sea water is an important warning sign of a tsunami, because the giant wave usually hits shore around five minutes later. Recognizing this phenomenon can save lives.
Some tsunamis don't appear as massive tidal waves, but instead as surging tides that floods coastal areas.
(National Geographic News. "Tsunamis: Killer Waves." National Geographic. Web. 5 Aug. 2013) Link to article
Brainstorming
After extensive research, I was able to sketch ideas for my own video.
This photo depicts two different views of a wave heading towards a wall of mangrove trees. A closer view with an instructional arrow (left) compared to a more realistic view that is farther away so you can see more of the wave (right).
This is one possible view of the large tsunami wave approaching a city. Because this is the same angle view as the scene with the mangrove trees, and because the viewer cannot see the wave overtaking the city as well, this view is tentative.
This is an alternate view of the tsunami wave approaching a city. From this view the viewer can easily see the wave overtaking the city and each building being demolished.
The beginning scene in my half of the video is of a tsunami approaching a city and demolishing tge buildings. This is one option for the transition from the last formation of the tsunami to this scene. The underwater occurrence forms the wave, and without cutting the scene the screen follows the wave and shows the wave growing larger while approaching the shore and then growing to massive heights right before colliding with the city.
The alternative to the above option is to cut to black after the formation of the wave and pick up again as the wave is growing approaching shallow water before hitting the shore. This allows my partner and I to more easily conjoin our halves of the video and would make the differences in the separate styles of animation less noticeable.
One of the most common form of protection against tsunamis is sea walls. Many sea walls are built a few meters onto shore and lined with large rocks. (Found from NOAA)
Other sea walls are built right at the edge of shore and protect against the waves directly. This particular sea wall holds a boardwalk that connects to a dock that it seen in the background. (Found from NOAA)
Tsunamis are a general-knowledge low-level subject that can be studied by middle school students, discussed in safety videos, or the topics on educational TV programs. The method of choice for sharing information on this subject would be through a video. No matter what mood the video has, the main goal is always to educate the viewers. Our goal is to create a 3D animated video, using the computer program 3DX Max, that portrays how a tsunami wave is formed, the possible damage caused, and a few ways to protect a civilization from one.
Figure 1 - Science Class
Figure 2 - Students Learning
Figure 3 - Tsunami Hazard Zone Sign
Figure 4 - Tsunami Wave Taking Over City
Tsunamis are studied by people all over the world: students, scientists, researchers, etc. The solution could be a video shown in the classroom, played on Discovery Channel, or referenced in a news report. Everyone can benefit from the knowledge of tsunami formations and ways to protect against them.
Figure 5 - Incoming Wave
Figure 6 - Students Learning
Figure 7 - Tsunami News Report
Figure 8 - Pacific Tsunami Warning Center
Figure 9 - Tsunami Warnings
While tsunamis are fascinating subjects, they are also very dangerous natural disasters and can kill hundreds and thousands of people. Educating the public about their causes and how they can protect themselves can save many lives and minimize much damage on populated coasts.
Figure 10 - Aftermath
Figure 11 - South Pacific Tsunami Warning
Figure 12 - Wave Taking City
Figure 13 - The Day After Tomorrow Wall of Water
Many educators look in catalogs and buy educational videos to show their students. Likewise, TV producers look for short videos to show on their programs like news programs and Discovery Channel. Many people would be of use to an educational animated video on such a topic as tsunamis.
Figure 14 - Teacher
Figure 15 - Breaking News
Figure 16 - Tsunami News Report
Figure 17 - Discovery Channel Video
Figure 18 - Students Researching
The mood for this video could take various routes, depending mostly on the audience. The mood could be childish, meant for grade schoolers, serious and instructional, meant for educational programs, intimidating, possibly meant for news broadcasts, or the video could even take an inspiring, artistic approach to appeal nature-friendly YouTubers.
This project is entitled Tsu-Vis, after Tsunami Visualization (based off the Technology-Student Association Competition event Scientific Visualization). The goal of the project is to create an informative video educating people about how tsunami waves are formed and the damage they can do to civilizations as well as protection measures those civilizations can and have taken. The video should include as much information as possible while still being understandable enough for children at least 12 years old. My role in the project is to design and animate the second half of the video, a wave's damage and ways to protect against them, while my partner, Kelsey (link to blog in side bar), designs and animates the first half, the different types of tsunami formations.
Team Design Brief:
Create a visualization of tsunami waves, how they are formed and the methods of protection against them, for instructors and professionals to broadcast.
Individual Design Brief:
Design and animate the possible damage of and methods of protection against a tsunami wave for educators and professionals to broadcast.
Create a schedule that accurately depicts due dates, tasks, and important checkpoints in the Tsu-Vis project throughout marking period 1.
Create a Design Brief for the Tsu-Vis Project, explaining what is being created, for whom, where and under what conditions the solution will be used.
Create background information for the Tsu-Vis Project, explaining why the solution needs to be created.
Create Specs and Limits for the Tsu-Vis Project, identifying exactly what the solution can be, do, and have, along with what it can’t do, be, or have.
Sept. 13:
Schedule Due
Logs due
Sept. 13 – Sept. 22:
Write a report on the expectations/specifications of the final solution, what will be tested, who assess each step of the design process, and conditions when testing will take place for the Tsu-Vis Project.
Create a model that reflects the final solution in the best way possible for the Tsu-Vis Project.
Sept. 16:
Design brief, specs and limits, background info, summer research/brainstorming, and alternative solutions due
Sept. 18:
Informal Presentations
Sept. 23:
Model due
Sept. 27:
Testing procedures
Sept. 28 – Oct. 25:
Write Rational Report
Prepare developmental work towards the final solution.
Prepare for formal presentations
Write the FPU outline
