This module is intended to further your animation to a professional level of quality in your chosen method of production. Through negotiation with the Award Leader and other members of the Animation staff you will develop a short animated film to be produced during Semester 1.
The completed work should demonstrate a good understanding of the principles of Animation as well as a clear application of prior learning from your previous studies in Levels 4 and 5.
The emphasis of this module is to showcase your individual animation practices and style with a view to having a completed piece of animation for inclusion in your showreel. It is also designed to increase your professional studio practice and working to a tight brief during a number of set exercises and projects.
Part 1 concludes with a presentation and assessment of the work completed for the ‘3 Weeks in October’ project. At this point you will also be expected to complete a presentation of ideas for your ‘Short Animation Project’.
All students must complete this prior to moving onto Part 2 of the module. Part 2: Short Animation Project
This part of the module is weighted at 80% of the total module mark
By this point of the Semester you will have finalised ideas based upon the Summer Brief that you received at the end of last Semester in Level 5 and chosen one of the following topics:
COLOUR
SLEEP
PALINDROME
SILENCE
LIGHT & SHADOW
FMP
Through a series of lectures, workshops, group seminars and Rushes Panels you will develop your short film idea based on your chosen topic into a ONE minute animated film, with sound. All aspects of production from concept through to completion will be assessed by staff and peers. You will be expected to develop your animation ideas through visual storyboards, sound and animatic treatments.
The Final work will form the basis of a professional online portfolio on Vimeo.
Good luck and enjoy the projects!
Short Animation Project
Based on the work you completed over the Summer period you should have formulated short film ideas on one of given topics. Following your presentation at the end of Part 1 of the module you will have the opportunity to discuss feedback on your short film idea(s) with the Module staff. Be prepared to make changes to the project outcomes in order for you to complete the project in the designated time frame and to ensure you meet the deadline of
Over the next nine weeks through a series of lectures, workshops, group seminars and Rushes Panels you will develop your short film idea into a ONE minute animated film, with sound.
All aspects of production from concept through to completion will be assessed by staff and peers. You will be expected to develop your animation ideas through visual storyboards, sound and animatic treatments.
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 13/10/14
Colour Idea chosen: Pigment Porpoise
http://animationstudentblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/summer-project-is-go.html
*UPDATE: 16/10/14
Sum your film up in three key words:
- Colour
- Abstract
- Dolphin
Expand that word to one sentence (10 words)
An abstract animation that plays with colour and animation mediums.
Expand that sentence to one paragraph (25 words)
An abstract animation that plays with colour and animation mediums to bring a clash of playful and visual pleasing movement to a varied target audience.
Describe your film in one image
*UPDATE: 20/10/14
First 20 second - Don't see Dolphin/Mystery
Splashes/ripples/fin - Laura Weston Idea
- Erica Russell - Feet of Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0oBUxPNPXY
- Clive Wolley
* Colo(u)r by Betty Edwards: http://134fundamentals.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/color-by-betty-edwards.pdf
Abstract
Colour Theory - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_theory
*UPDATE: 23/10/14
Dolphin film:- Ending shows that the dolphin was trapped within a tank the entire time = Robin Heap.
* Sound - Foley - Music
Script
Camera angles:
Maya cameras - Research different techniques.
Camera following dolphin jumping?
*
Dialogue with client/ lecturer
Treatment/synopsis
Script
Shot breakdown
Storyboard - thumbnails
Storyboard - Colour, texture etc
Animatic
Element list - Costs etc
Kit List
Production Timetable
Set-Design drawings
3D mockups
Photographic test images
*UPDATE: 25/10/14
Rough Script (sort of):
*UPDATE: 27/10/14
Over more consideration I thought to change the animation somewhat. I believe that I would not be able to animate moving water good enough in the time that I have, therefore I will be taking the animation underwater. Have the animation start above but then sink underwater.
What I shall do is create two quick storyboards with two ideas and see which is better, in both visuals and better/easier to animate, as I don't have the time to do anything that challenging.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WjFw3V1hyphenhyphenL3dpYPwNSlTM2QsXm9LWxnBAQrETY0hC8M89ssm1g7S8ApMRvzH3dqrZDvO6s_tUjf4h2OipLDjMQfqi3gxa_f8bOSslR_1ivSiPOlvSGyb1zNVcbEL3fnYRGREzHahTdk/s1600/ShotList+template.jpg
Storyboard:
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 05/11/14
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 08/11/14
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 09/11/14
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 11/11/14
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 13/11/14
All controllers are now parented to each other for better movement/animation.
Bound the 'skin' (model) to the rig and adding skin weight to the areas that are being affected by movement.
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 15/11/14
Done!(?)
I think I am done with the rigging process now, or as done as I can be, spending too much time on it will shorten the time I have to complete the animation and get it finished. It moves fine and looks decent and I am very happy with the outcome.
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 04/12/14
After a lengthy period where I came up against some problems, with Maya as well as my own health issues, I have gotten a large part of the animation done. I still have a way to go, including animating the cameras, but I hope to get it all done fairly quickly. I fear I may not get it done for the deadline, but I will continue to try nevertheless. -- The line that you see is a curve that I am using as a guide/track for where the dolphin needs to go. At first it was going to be a motion path but after several issues I chose to merely use it as a guide and animated around/through it.
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 04/12/14
Finishing off animation as well as adding in the camera movement using Camera Sequencer. I have not used Camera Sequencer much before but I thought it was interesting and useful tool to use. I attempt to forgetting to add depth of field when I adjusted and animated the cameras and their sequence, but that can be easily modified in After Effects.
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 06/12/14
Using After Effects I added the colour I needed to add (using masks to bring the colour in slowly), the depth of field and particles/bubbles floating in the water.
As I didn't have enough time, due to health issues, I could not find another way to bring in the colour I needed. I stand by what I did with the masks, and I quite like it, however I know there were other options to use instead but was unable to use them due to the lack of time and because I did not have the equipment or was not able to attend University.
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 08/12/14
Adding the finishing touches to the animation, including title, name and credits as well as the music that goes with it.
DONE!
All aspects of production from concept through to completion will be assessed by staff and peers. You will be expected to develop your animation ideas through visual storyboards, sound and animatic treatments.
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 13/10/14
Colour Idea chosen: Pigment Porpoise
http://animationstudentblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/summer-project-is-go.html
*UPDATE: 16/10/14
Sum your film up in three key words:
- Colour
- Abstract
- Dolphin
Expand that word to one sentence (10 words)
An abstract animation that plays with colour and animation mediums.
Expand that sentence to one paragraph (25 words)
An abstract animation that plays with colour and animation mediums to bring a clash of playful and visual pleasing movement to a varied target audience.
Describe your film in one image
*UPDATE: 20/10/14
First 20 second - Don't see Dolphin/Mystery
Splashes/ripples/fin - Laura Weston Idea
- Erica Russell - Feet of Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0oBUxPNPXY
- Clive Wolley
* Colo(u)r by Betty Edwards: http://134fundamentals.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/color-by-betty-edwards.pdf
Abstract
Colour Theory - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_theory
*UPDATE: 23/10/14
Dolphin film:- Ending shows that the dolphin was trapped within a tank the entire time = Robin Heap.
* Sound - Foley - Music
Script
Camera angles:
Maya cameras - Research different techniques.
Camera following dolphin jumping?
*
Dialogue with client/ lecturer
Treatment/synopsis
Script
Shot breakdown
Storyboard - thumbnails
Storyboard - Colour, texture etc
Animatic
Element list - Costs etc
Kit List
Production Timetable
Set-Design drawings
3D mockups
Photographic test images
*UPDATE: 25/10/14
Rough Script (sort of):
“Pigment
Porpoise” Screenplay
By
Gemma
Birks
EXT. WATER – TIME UNKNOWN
The water is without colour,
as is the sky. The waves are somewhat stilled and undisturbed but are soon shifting
with movement after a few seconds have gone by.
The water ripples and bulges
from the mysterious creature beneath. A dorsal fin breaks the surface, circles
and crosses across the waves, before disappearing back below.
EXT. WATER - NEXT
The fin breaks the water once
more and on closer inspection seems to belong to a dolphin that is also just as
white and blank as the water is swims in.
EXT. WATER - NEXT
The dolphin moves through the
water and seems to be looking around at the drab, vast, and blank surroundings,
circling slowly. It slips back into the water and out of sight once more.
EXT. WATER – NEXT
The dolphin jumps upwards in
a splash of sudden colour, the droplets flying off its body in a vibrant colour
of pink, and as the dolphin hits the water the entire surface of the water
explodes with pink.
The dolphin jumps again, this
time twisting playfully in the air, the droplets a rich orange in colour as
they arc from the dolphins tail. The entire surface bursts into orange as the
dolphin slips back into it.
The next time the dolphin
leaps the water is turned a bright yellow.
EXT. WATER – NEXT
When the dolphin surfaces
again it is joined by another two dolphins that both look identical to the
first, white and bland. The swim around each other, swirling the yellow water,
roll onto their stomachs and then sink into the water, their tails in the air
as they descend.
EXT. WATER – NEXT
All at once they jump,
different colours of water spreading from each dolphin, colours of purple,
green and red curving through the air. The dolphins flip back into the waves
and the water merges with three different colours.
They leap again and the water
turns a multitude of colours, the rainbow effect spreading throughout in a
psychedelic twirl and ripple of colour.
When they again jump they
make the water aqua, mixing greens and blues to create an ocean-like look. They
seem pleased with the effect and surface with just their heads, they shift and
circle each other, dance through the waves and then duck to slap the water,
spraying colour into the ‘sky’.
EXT. WATER – NEXT
On further inspection, more
of the surroundings come into focus and show that the dolphins are confined to
a tank in an aquarium.
*UPDATE: 27/10/14
Over more consideration I thought to change the animation somewhat. I believe that I would not be able to animate moving water good enough in the time that I have, therefore I will be taking the animation underwater. Have the animation start above but then sink underwater.
What I shall do is create two quick storyboards with two ideas and see which is better, in both visuals and better/easier to animate, as I don't have the time to do anything that challenging.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WjFw3V1hyphenhyphenL3dpYPwNSlTM2QsXm9LWxnBAQrETY0hC8M89ssm1g7S8ApMRvzH3dqrZDvO6s_tUjf4h2OipLDjMQfqi3gxa_f8bOSslR_1ivSiPOlvSGyb1zNVcbEL3fnYRGREzHahTdk/s1600/ShotList+template.jpg
Storyboard:
*UPDATE: 05/11/14
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 08/11/14
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 09/11/14
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 11/11/14
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 13/11/14
Bound the 'skin' (model) to the rig and adding skin weight to the areas that are being affected by movement.
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 15/11/14
Still working on the skin weights...it is a long process
Done!(?)
I think I am done with the rigging process now, or as done as I can be, spending too much time on it will shorten the time I have to complete the animation and get it finished. It moves fine and looks decent and I am very happy with the outcome.
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 04/12/14
After a lengthy period where I came up against some problems, with Maya as well as my own health issues, I have gotten a large part of the animation done. I still have a way to go, including animating the cameras, but I hope to get it all done fairly quickly. I fear I may not get it done for the deadline, but I will continue to try nevertheless. -- The line that you see is a curve that I am using as a guide/track for where the dolphin needs to go. At first it was going to be a motion path but after several issues I chose to merely use it as a guide and animated around/through it.
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 04/12/14
Finishing off animation as well as adding in the camera movement using Camera Sequencer. I have not used Camera Sequencer much before but I thought it was interesting and useful tool to use. I attempt to forgetting to add depth of field when I adjusted and animated the cameras and their sequence, but that can be easily modified in After Effects.
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 06/12/14
Using After Effects I added the colour I needed to add (using masks to bring the colour in slowly), the depth of field and particles/bubbles floating in the water.
As I didn't have enough time, due to health issues, I could not find another way to bring in the colour I needed. I stand by what I did with the masks, and I quite like it, however I know there were other options to use instead but was unable to use them due to the lack of time and because I did not have the equipment or was not able to attend University.
*********************************************************************************
*UPDATE: 08/12/14
Adding the finishing touches to the animation, including title, name and credits as well as the music that goes with it.
DONE!
