Character Implementation

Module Description

This module will prepare you for the development of character based animation projects and narrative concepts. Opposite characters, whether based in Mythology, History, Entertainment or Literature all react differently to one another. This concept is used in all classic tales and films and it is this which you will need to explore during this module. Understanding characters, what motivates them and how they can interact with each other will help you to produce animations that are engaging to watch and the audience can build some empathy with. The aim of this module is to continue on from key principles of animation used last year. Now you are going to consider what engages people to keep watching characters, what is the story behind them and how do they act with each others. You will be concentrating on Staging and Appeal, the most elusive of the Animation Principles. One of your two opposing characters will become the lead character in a 60 to 90 second short film. In this film you will show how this character interacts with the second character. By giving your character a motive or an objective you will learn how you can improve your animation techniques and make your characters appealing. You will be expected to work individually in an area you have a very strong personal interest. (E.g. Stop motion Cell 3D CGI)

You will be shown how to structure a story for short film format using a beat- sheet, and how to story-board using industry standard framing and camera angles.

As the second main element of this module you will learn how to composite live action into animation using the green screen.

You will have regular technical instruction on use of the green screen and how to composite using Adobe After Effects.

Week one task (DONE)

This task is designed to get you to hit-ground-running for your second year of animation.

Create a ‘portmanteau’ word; a word made up of two or more other words.

• Think of a colour that goes with that word. 
• Think of a movement that goes with that word.
• Think of a sound that goes with that word. 
• Combine these elements to create an abstract sequence of animation that expresses that new word.

Include a title at the begininning, using your portmanyeau word as the title.

Examples of portmanteau words; "Slythy": (compounded of 'slimy' and 'lithe'); "smooth and active" “Brunch”: (breakfast + lunch) "Permalance": (permanent freelance) “Liger”: (cross between a male lion and a female tiger) 

* Although I feel that I rushed it and struggled somewhat, here is the video for the task: https://vimeo.com/76363380

Design 2 Opposing Characters (HALF FINISHED)

Create character boards with orthographic views (front, side, back, 3/4) and dynamic poses. Create a history for both characters. One of your characters will become the dominant, or hero, character. 

Create a short 60 to 90 second animated film

Using short film structure, a beat sheet and story board, show both your characters interacting, without using dialogue. Their personalities should lead to a conflict that will form the basis of their story. In script writing term ‘conflict’ means a conflict-of-interest, not a fight.

‘One character is in pursuit of an objective while overcoming an obstacle; the other character.” Ed Hooks

The animation should be staged in such a way as it can be easily read by the audience to be able to interpret them. Follow the Seven essential Acting Principles set out by Ed Hooks is ‘Acting for Animators’.

Thinking tends to lead to conclusions, and emotion tends to lead to action.

We empathize only with emotion. Your job as an animator is to create in the audience a sense of empathy with your character.

• Theatrical reality is not the same as regular reality. 
• Acting is doing; acting is also reacting. 
• Your character should play an action until something happens to make him play a different action
• Scenes begin in the middle, not at the beginning. 
• A scene is a negotiation.

Perhaps I made her a bit too long...

*UPDATE 11/12/13: Although I am still modelling, I'm struggling. I only know the basics and sometimes I'm at a loss of what to do and to ask for help means to take and show my work to friends or lecturers, yet I cannot, as I'm stuck at home. So I believe I will stop modelling now, get my animation done in 2D and then revisit my characters in 3D afterward.

*UPDATE 3/12/13: New story idea/storyboard

The Green Screen (DONE)

Live action characters interacting with animated characters!

Create a short 15 second animated sequence The aim of this component is to introduce you with another area of the animation industry, Special Effects – Digital compositing. This is becoming an area of greater employability whether being used in pop promos, children’s TV or film work. Taking one of your characters that you are designing as part of this module, we want you to film yourself interacting with it! Think of a location where the interaction may take place! Think of how the two of you interact with each other (And it doesn’t have to be a fight!) You will be instructed in how to use the green screen room. Use the lighting to get a perfect colour for a background. You will be shown how to use the Animation Departments High Definition (HD) Camera, then how you get the film and composite 1st a background and then secondary the animated character. You will be introduced to compositing software. 

*UPDATE 12/12/13: Being stuck at home I have yet to start this. Hopefully I will be in tomorrow (Friday 13th) and perhaps get the acting part of it done! However, I then need After Affects, something I haven't got at home...yet...

*UPDATE 15/12/13: