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Today we began by learning about the the Unreal Engine as well as what game design at Epic Games is like.  Mr. Polge asked questions about what careers we were looking into and how we could use Unreal Engine in many of the different fields.  For example I am intrested in AI programing, even though this is quite a difficult thing to implement in two weeks I learned that it would be quite easy to implement in the Unreal Engine.  This led to a discussion about the many different applications of the Unreal Engine such as film/TV show making (The Mandalorian), marketing in the automotive industry, architecture, game development, and even VR purposes. Then we started learning about Unreal Engine itself and how there is two main ways to work on a project, as a beginner it is recommended you do something with the blueprint function where you are given different functions and you can drag and drop “code” to create a simple blueprint.  Once you get more advanced Unreal Engine allows you to hard program your creation with C++ and all the source could is available on github and to the public.  After taking a lunch break for some pizza (thanks Mr. Polge), we began working on the projects we were assigned for our two weeks using the workstations he provided.  Even though he could only bring in two today, I used my own computer to learn everything I could about game design in Unreal Engine using the vast marketplace(a place where designers and programmers can provide their code and designs on Unreal Engine).  I also messed around with the MetaHuman program where Unreal Engine has tried to solve the hidden valley problem where computer generated/animated humans lack certain features that make them look fake.  This was a really interesting program as I attempted to create myself(which did not turn out to well as seen below).  Overall, this was a great experience and can’t wait to begin working on my project tomorrow!

This morning, Ethan and I met with Dr. Aziz and his graduate student Leah. Leah explained the research that she is working on. Basically, she’s trying to design a water filter that will use fungus to chemically convert harmful pollutants in water into something less harmful.

We then spent the remainder of the day playing around with NetLogo, which is the software that we’ll mainly be using to create simulations. We explored the Wolf-Sheep Predation model and the Enzyme Kinetics model and modified the parameters on the models to see how the changes would affect the results.

The Wolf-Sheep model showed how the populations of wolves, sheep, and grass changed based on various parameters, and the Enzyme Kinetics model showed how various parameters affected the concentrations of substrate, complex, and product.

Below is an image of the Enzyme Kinetics model.

We started the day off with a general meeting about Lenovo as a whole. Greyson Davis, our host, is the software manager of the gaming division at Lenovo and he described the changes that occurred from in-person to going virtual. When we finished the discussion we moved onto researching NFTs (Non-fungible tokens). NFTs are images, videos, and other digital files bought and sold using cryptocurrency (NBA top shot). After we presented our research and moved on to discussing the general crypto market. Our goal for these 2 weeks is to become experts in crypto transactions and everything that happens during them.

An NFT of a kitten that was bought for 170,000

Another NFT that was sold for 20,000

Today I was able to meet with Mr. Markham, a lawyer and professor at UNC’s School of Government. Together we were able to have an amazing in depth discussion about why and how ethics and criminal sentencing are often intertwined.

We decided to spend this work experience discussing drunk driving and what factors aggravate or mitigate the sentencing process for drunk drivers. I’ll be spending the afternoon researching the different factors (age, socioeconomic status, employment status, whether they have a family, etc.) that come into sentencing decisions and which ones I personally believe should be valued the most.

The first day of our Work Experience Program was from home where we Zoomed in with social media manager Ms. Alaina Ruggery at French West Vaughn, a public relations and marketing agency. She outlined the difference between in-house marketing and agencies like FWV; for example, the in-house marketing department for Lowe’s Home Improvement works solely on advertising Lowe’s services and products while marketing agencies take on several companies at a time. Specifically, Ms. Ruggery works on advertising the Disney Princess Style collection and Tree Top Fruit products, among others, through social media. While Ms. Ruggery’s work primarily falls in line with the Social Media Department, FWV also has an Account Team, a Media Team, and a Creative Team that focuses on different areas of the marketing process. In the end, though, they all collaborate to execute campaigns, design websites, and build brands.

We spent the afternoon digging through a handful of FWV clients’ websites and social accounts. From NC Sweet Potato Commission to Storm Brew (for all of my Carolina Hurricanes fans out there!), FWV helps its clients grow and thrive through the use of advertising and marketing strategies. You can check out even more companies French West Vaughn has partnered with through this link: https://fwv-us.com/work. I look forward to visiting their downtown Raleigh office and learning more about each department tomorrow!

Today was the first day of my WEP with Vector Textiles. Vector Textiles creates chemical-free, insect resistant mosquito netting and clothing and our job is to research the negative effects of permethrin, a chemical in mosquito repellent, on the environment. The day started with a meeting with Mark Self, the CEO of Vector Textiles. Mr. Self discussed with us what he expects from us, and what he wants us to accomplish during this time. My group members and I had our own meeting where we created a timeline and plan for the rest of the week and next and the rest of the day was spent on individual research. While there were some things that I anticipated I would see going into my research, I was actually a little surprised about some of the things that I found, like that permethrin is dangerously toxic to cats.

Alex L will work with both Osceola Studios & 9Miles Media.

Me singing my new hit single, “Quarantine Valentine (pronounced quaranTYNE)”

                 

 

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5/24/21 – Donuts

Words of advice from Dick: “Bring donuts… the way to get someone to like you is to bring donuts. They may not hire you, but they will definitely like you.”

I got to see two musicians perform today, both of which were spectacular in their own ways. The first, a Spanish singer who sang about (My 6 years of Spanish really carried here) a loved one who was “muy lejos.” The second, a rapper who at first I didn’t love, but eventually worked with Dick to create an absolute slapper.

Above is me pointing at a bunch of little buttons and knobs, none of which I know the function of (one of them maybe turns the thing on? Will ask Dick about this. Update TBA).

5/25/21 – Adlibs

Dick on adlibs – “Adlibs are the hardest thing to do cuz you’re just squirting [stuff] out of your head. In the moment, they sound amazing, but then you listen back and think ‘what the [heck] was I saying.’ That’s why you gotta first squirt out the [stuff] and then go back and pick out what you like.”

Heard the lyrics “I like the way you move it babe” several thousands of times.

Note: I followed the rules highlighted by the sign. I did not smoke, nor did I vape in the building.

5/26/21 – Unconventional Bangers

Each morning I arrive to Dick jamming out to a different track. Today was a “straight up rock band.” Song was a certified banger. I’ve yet to correctly make a cup of coffee, but I’m slowly getting better at not spilling the coffee grounds all over the floor.

Today we worked with a brother duo focusing on gospel rap. Egan and his brother focus on communicating the word of God through a slightly unconventional medium, spreading Christian values to different demographics through hip hop.

5/27/21- How to deal with a difficult client 101

Aside from being an audio engineering beast, Dick knows how to make a customer feel good. He’s an expert in matching artists’ energy and building trust. His people skills shine through especially when working with especially difficult artists. We spent about 4 hours working on an alternative rock song about a vampire sung by a woman who couldn’t sing.

Here’s an image of the “Dick Hodgin appreciation board”

5/28/21- One More Mile

Feels like hanging out with older siblings  – a group of millennial friends that run a company together. Honestly would make an awesome TV show. Sorta feels like The Office meets Friends. It’s such a tight knit group of homies, I feel like this would be a fun place to work.

They swear there’s no secret office romances, but I highly doubt it. This feels far too much like a sitcom for there not to be any scandals (Dan is for sure Jim, and Sontanna is giving me Pam vibes).

After much pestering, they still wouldn’t disclose any secret affairs/love scandals and I’m forced to concede that they are a perfectly normal group of just out of college millennials.

5/31/21 – Return of the King

Today I’m back at Osceola Studios – I walk in to find our favorite brother duo working with Dick to mix “I like the way you work it (babe).” Compared to the alternative rock vampire song, this is an absolute slapper. The atmosphere in the studio is completely different when a decent artist is at work.

Around 1, a different artist showed up, wanting to “test Dick’s abilities.” Goes by Zay – “Crazy thing is, I don’t even do hip hop; I do alternative music,” says Zay, as Dick asks how long he’s been rapping for. Zay pulls out his track and it’s a piano ballad – a mellow acoustic vibe.

6/1/21 – English Lit Exam

Today I had my English Lit Exam, and I was not in the studio. Pray for me.

6/2/21 – Heartbreak, no sugar

I walk into the studio today to find 3 unfamiliar, but friendly, faces waiting for me. This is the first “band” that has visited the studio. Ginger, the singer, and her husband are a force to be reckoned with. The kick drums kick as the saxophones…. sax?

Ginger’s voice is fantastic – the best I’ve heard in my two weeks. She’s a real pro, definitely has been doing this for a while. THIS IS FUNKY.

6/3/21 – Expensive Karaoke

Someone booked 2 hours to cover a Juice WRLD song. Dick calls it “expensive Karaoke.” He has an interesting perspective on people like this.

“Nobody’s ever given him the time of day – nobody’s given him any attention… If I can help instruct him, it takes the pressure off of him to sing good or bad.” Says dick.

Today is my last day at the studio. Unfortunately, my new hit single “The Vowel Song” isn’t going to be recorded.

Dick says if I ever write a non-terrible song,  I should come back and record it. This day may or may not ever come.

Alex with be working with orthopedic surgeon Karl Schweitzer at Duke Hospitals.

We learned about the unreal engine and all the ways it can be used such as in medicine, game development, and movies. I learned about creating a basic level using the unreal engine and changing the lighting. Our goal is for each individual to have some sort of project finished by the end of the two weeks. One of my ideas I have now is using a midi device to control the setting.

(This is a room I made while playing around with Unreal Engine)