Les Mills user member

I found the Les Mills site has a forum where participants discuss thoughts about the sessions. This could be really useful for additional research.

www.lesmills.com/bee-sting

OK Go - Here It Goes Again

WOW! Thanks for pointing this out to me, Henning! It's amazingly effective, and such a simple idea! Not sure that I can incorporate this idea into my visual graphics, but it's worthy of note all the same!

Sienos

My poster design and prints (set of three) and other work on display at the Norwich Arts Centre.


My poster design at the entrance and exhibition pieces at the Stew gallery.

Additional research: Wii Fit Boxing Gameplay

Wii Fit boxing game is similar to my project in that the screen instructs viewer to move in a certain way in time with the music.

Game play: The game begins with a demonstration of the movement sequence. The camera moves to 'your' position when it is your turn. Player copies the movements in time to the beat. Movements are sensed by board and chucks, and a score is calculated.

Graphics: Prompts are on screen so user is not totally dependant on memory. These prompts are in the form of a diagram of hands and feet, which are displayed on the dominant side of the screen (i.e. left foot forward = instructions on left) Different colours used to highlight moving part (i.e. which foot) Motivational quotes are displayed in a star burst. Hits are shown by a cartoon style 'pow' star burst. This is suitable for the general graphics of the Wii Fit game.

Environment: All graphics and setting in style of other existing Wii Fit graphics. Game is set in a gym studio. I think this is slightly odd, as a gym studio is the 'safe' environment, and in a way, practice space for training for the 'real' world (i.e. a real fight, perhaps). However, the video game is not in a 'real' space either, so the environment could be absolutely anywhere as there is no danger. The game is situating the player in a safe practice environment, even though the player already is in such an environment.

See what I'm talking about:

These people would get so much more out of their workout if they had a visual motivational stimulus. The tones in this room are so uninspiring. There usually is a mirror on the wall - doubling the drab shades and increasing self awareness. Whilst self awareness may be important for technique and safety, I believe the participants would get more out of the workout by taking their mind to a less self conscious state which would allow the body to move in ways that conscious restrictions don't allow due to social conditioning.
Another of my major concerns if the pressure on the instructor - here you can hear she is having to fight against the noise to get the instructions across as well as doing the workout and motivating the team. Visual instructions would inform the audience and free the instructor up to focus on additional motivation and technique improvements.

P.S. Notice the tall bloke, bless him, he is all over the place. He's stepping back with the wrong leg. This kind of mistake happens often. Even though he can see the instructor and everyone else in the room on the wall mirror, he keeps repeating the same mistake. Now, with a screen giving the instructions to the group, this would free up the instructor to address him and help him correct his movements to maximise his workout and not look such a fool.

BodyCombat Heroes Campaign

This video is along the lines of the general aesthetic quality I would like to achieve. Whilst it is not instructional, I'd like to carry the essence of mood, style and genre into my piece. I am not tied to copy the style of Les Mills productions, but as they are the only company who put this exercise routine into clubs, I think it is worth while noting and drawing from their publications as my work should compliment and fall into line along side existing material to create a coherent aesthetic.
Notice they have avoided ground shadows and other problems encountered with such filming by creating an artificial mist on the ground.
I am interested in the surreal, annonomous setting they have used, and noticed the changes of perspective with the cuts from full body to close up. Although an obvious point to note, it was not one I had considered trying to achieve myself. This does help the video to make sense, and give it a level of professionalism which my previously rendered 'general background' videos lacked.

Ideas

I have been thinking about using a silhouette as the moving figure (if I have one that is). This looks good against a coloured background, does not give the figure any personality (I aim to avoid stereotypes). However, it's not very informative concerning any movements made forwards or backwards - there is no detail of limbs in front of the body so this may cause a problem. I could overcome this with a slight highlight on the figure's body. 

Research

Tuesday 3rd June

I met up with a friend of a friend who is a keen body combat class attendant. I was interested to find out if others felt the same during the sessions as I do. When I asked her what she thinks about she listed; what's for dinner; the instructor; how she looks compared to other participants, what part of the body is being worked on.... This was interesting, firstly because it's quite different to the thoughts I have, and also because her mind is sometimes wandering off the activity. 

Thursday 5th June

Talking to Tom was very useful today - I have broken the project down into two parts, so as to tie in with the spacialised practices unit and the self negotiated. For the spacialised practice unit I intend to have completed the main pre-production parts.

We also discussed the possibilities available with motion capture devices and I have been researching these. This is one interesting example, however I intend ot create something much more motivating.

 

Other possibilities for creating the visual graphics are just using shapes / graphics / colours, or typography.

Saturday 8 June

I did a workout to the body combat instructors training DVD. It made me think about home fitness videos and how different they are to group fitness sessions. Group fitness can be alot more motivational, and will push you to keep going. At home, the pause button is far too easy to press. This could be an advantage as you can start the session at your own convenience... but the temptation to be distracted is too high. I would also find it hard to commit myself to partaking regularly.

I also considered what might actually help the participants most. It may be due to my dyslexia, but I really struggle to remember sequences (short term memory problems). So for me, a visual list of moves would really help - a bit like a karaoke machine...??? 

Proposal

What:
To design and make a motion graphic piece to accompany a body combat class.
The purpose is not to replace the instructor but to enhance and motivate the session.

Why:
I have sometimes found that during these sessions my mind can wander and I realise I'm not getting the most out of the session because I've lost my focus. I often try to imagine colours, shapes, patterns, environments etc to accompany the atmosphere of the music. This adds interest and focus.

Lithuania 2008

Documentation of Lithuania and the print exhibition