Visual Effects

We all love that wild dragon or that flying car, but ever wonder how they create such things? It is called Visual Effects, these are the artificial pieces of action used to create a film that looks realistic without using physical effects. Over the years, the effects in movies have gone from entirely physical such as cars, people, props, and animals, to a mix of physical and digital to entirely digital effects.

Visual effects is the process that footage is created or changed outside the camera footage filmmaking and video production. This mixing of live action and CG elements to create realistic footage is called VFX (that is the acronym for visual effects). Now, entire scenes can be done using Adobe Premier Pro, After Affects and a few other plugins; see https://filmora.wondershare.com/video-editing-tips/best-special-effects-software.html, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wWBgehWdnw, and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L30fDSDTBeQ. These all were uploaded within the last 14 months, and they all are very practical. Two of the links are videos on YouTube that were produced by Visual Effects Artists that run CreatorGalaxy.com and unexploredfims.com. These videos are run by the Visual Artists, who go through and try to answer questions that they get in the comments on different visual effects. All of the information that I viewed seemed easy to follow, and easy to do with the right tools. I will most likely be using https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UP6BKrTFVs as a reference for editing later, as it will come in handy for later videos.

Web design CMS vs. HTML/CSS coding

CMS, short for Content Management System, the basis for internet programs. Content Management System is simply the software tool used to build a website from the base up with little to no knowledge or use of coding. The software runs many internet programs, including creating, editing and managing online content. The content used is usually stored in a database, then displayed using presentation templates. CMS is not only for websites, it is also for document information sharing (such as Google Docs and One Drive). Another version of CMS is dotCMS, which handle nearly anything requiring internet and is aimed toward big companies workflows that need to integrate with their systems and third-party software.

When we look at CMS websites and websites coded with HTML/CSS, we see vast differences. First off, CMS websites have little need for the creator to know any coding; as it was already coded into the CMS software that changes made to the site can be done with just plain text. In contrast, to create a website using HTML, you have to have a good understanding of coding just to create a basic website; and one tiny mistake can crash the entire site. This is where a web developer comes into play, as they take what you tell them you want and translate it into the necessary coding for your pristine website. When you are looking to create a website, it really depends on what you want that determines how and which type of site you create.

Are you wanting a very detailed and specific site for your business, and have a decent budget for it? Consider using a CMS base then having a web developer refine your site using HTML/CSS coding. Have some nerdy friends and family that all they talk when it comes to the internet about is coding? Talk to them about helping you code your very own HTML website. Or are you someone with little to no coding knowledge but you need a quick website for a project? Use a CMS server like WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla for that quick website base that can be changed using plain text – no coding required. At this time, most websites are done using some form of coding, but CMS websites are growing in popularity, as they are very simple and easy to use.

However, now web developers will need to also be able to help with problems that may arise in CMS servers, as it is becoming necessary to know code if you want to do detailed changes to your CMS site. Content Management Systems will most likely become very popular, this will probably cause some jobs for web developers to be lost but at the same time creating new jobs.

Information from Content Management System: What it is, functions and everything else you need to know

The Internet and what is it?

Seems many are talking about the latest internet breakthroughs. They are constantly glued to their mobile devices, and sometimes laughing at landlines and PC desktop computers. (Question 1: Today, do more people access the web using computers or mobile devices? Provide a resource that supports your answer.) According to https://www.statista.com/statistics/1106607/device-usage-coronavirus-worldwide-by-country/, due to the coronavirus outbreak, mobile phone use went up 40% in 2020 compared to the 23% for PC and desktop computers.  Now when we look at the internet’s upward trend, we must ask who controls the internet? (Question 2:  Who controls the World Wide Web? What is it made up of?) Well, in the USA, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) controls the internet, according to International Business Times. Though the Internet itself is just made of different devices around the globe networking with each other.

Well, who created the internet? (Question 3: Who is Tim Berners Lee? What is he best known for?)That was Sir Tim Berners Lee, best known as the creator of the World Wide Web, along with the standard web language called HTML, or Hypertext Markup Language. This coding change was part of what made today’s internet, because before HTML, the internet lacked a standard network coding language. This made it near impossible to network outside of your group. For more information on Tim Berners Lee, visit https://answerstoall.com/technology/what-is-tim-berners-lee-best-known-for/ and https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tim-Berners-Lee

(Question 4: What is a blog? What is it used for?) Next up is the blog, which is what you are reading now. It is a diary- or journal-like literature piece that is intended to share information with others. (What Is A Blog? – A Guide to Understanding The Concept Of Blogging) It is important to note that whatever is on the internet has a way of living forever. It can always be found, it just might take a bit to find what you are looking for. See How long Do Your Online Posts Stay on The Internet?.

Notice how on Facebook or Amazon, you see ads that have followed you for pages? Notice how it is whatever you recently searched? (Question 8: What is dynamic content?) That is called dynamic content, changing based on your behavioral patterns. Facebook suggests viewing content based on connections, search history, activities, and posts. It analyzes all data stored in its data bases and generates content tailored specifically to you, and those third party ads you see, but your friend doesn’t? That is because they pay Facebook to show you the ads that you fall into the categories for. Here is more information on What is Dynamic Content? Definition, Types, Strategy, Best Practices with Examples.

On the topic of Facebook, they use a “responsive” website design. (Questions 5-6: What is a “responsive” website design? Why are “responsive” website designs necessary?) This design type works on any device, no matter shape, size, or type. This is needed because millions of people often visit the same site on multiple devices. What does this mean? It means that a hard to access site gets lower usage and SEO. (Question 7: What is SEO, and why should website owners/managers be concerned with SEO?)This is What is Responsive Web Design and How To Do It discusses in detail. SEO or Search Engine Optimization, means search engines view your site as user friendly, accessible, and useful. A key element for building brands and bringing in engaged users. See WHAT IS SEO IN MARKETING AND WHY DOES IT MATTER? and What is Search Engine Optimization? And Why is it important? for more details. (Question 9: What is a content management system? You work with one, what is it’s name?) To gain SEO, content must be managed by a content management system, the categorization of information in a easily navigated and maintained manner. You already know it, it is the web base such as WordPress. See What is a Content Management System? The Ultimate Guide.

(Question 10: 10. What is a YouTube channel? Who might want to start one?)The last aspect of the internet to talk about is a YouTube channel, a means of sharing video content for others to view on the internet as a way to make income, for entertainment, instruction, and encouragement. Anyone can start one, especially if you want to comment on any videos. To comment on any video content, YouTube makes a channel with your name on it. For more information, visit How YouTube Works on How Stuff Works.

 

 

Introduction

Hello everyone,

My name is Joni and I wanted to introduce myself. I am the oldest child in a family with three children and we were homeschooled by my amazing dad. Since I was homeschooled my entire school life, I have grown to love reading and art. Art is something I have always done, whether it was drawing on paper scrapes to alleviate my boredom or coloring pages off the internet, I had a few different art experiences.

Digital art is becoming a new found stream of income, but I have done it for years a way to store art in a compact form. Windows Paint was a good program for beginners because it allowed for easy access to different art tools without any internet access. Which was good, because it meant that it more secure and it was one less thing my parents had to think about when it came to the internet. Now Windows has moved on to Paint 3D, a program that not only allows you to created 2 dimensional artwork, but also allows you to created 3 dimensional artwork that can be used as project models. However, some of the 3D artwork requires the internet, and maybe signaling that the age of internet-less art creation maybe coming to a close as more programs now require an internet connection to work properly in some form.

That however is a topic for a different time. As I was saying earlier in my post, I also love reading. When I was little, my dad used to read us stories and as we got older, he helped us learn to read. When ever one of us got stuck on a hard word, he made us sound it out or use the dictionary, because he said that if he just told us, we would never truly learn it and would always be returning to him for help. That, at the time, was a little irritating, because it seemed to take more time to go find what we were struggling with, but it has since paid off.

So, what about you? What is something you did growing up with your parents that you are thankful for now?