Eeeyaaah, had a few minor difficulties getting to college today... in which I never actually GOT there. I stood there in the freezing snow waiting for a train that wouldn't show. Thankfully I phoned Paul and he's told David so hopefully they'll know why I was a no show.
I was basically done waiting for an hour and then had to turn tail and talk home despite the fact that I could barely feel my limbs and that I could barely move. After warming up though, I got right to work.
I have managed to get the majority of my backgrounds finished and tomorrow I am planning on completing them and getting started on my characters. Hopefully a train will arrive tomorrow so that I can get there and discuss some things with Paul or David about a few backgrounds and sequences.
Short entry is short. I am tired and cold ridden. I can feel my throat closing as we speak. Lovely.
Tuesday 30 November 2010
Monday 29 November 2010
AND NOW...
After a refuel (basically chips and a can of Monster) I am ready to rumble.
I've finally uploaded a few videos to my YouTube channel which has been until now only around to favourite videos in order to link to them in this blog. As well as showing off my college work, I am also including projects I have done before college.
I did this animation for my Extended Project in Sixth Form. Basically, we could study anything we wanted and as I was desperately searching for animation experience, I figured this was the perfect opportunity. I decided to create a short traditional piece of mine and my boyfriend's mutant cat characters Jax and Jinx.
I tried to create realistic cat movements with their bodies and tails. The ball looked a bit too jiggly but it gives me the excuse of saying "They're mutant cats in a lab playing with a jelly like experiment!" Sorted!
This project was a huge help in teaching me what was expected in animators, what can be used, how things can be done and so on. This is where I got my vast knowledge of the 12 Basic Principles... well... vastish.
This is another project done around the same time. This time, I did a project for my Photography class revolving around the theme 'Connecting Pictures' and using Sam Taylor-Wood as inspiration. Her shots portraying decay are brilliantly done and were the exact idea behind this piece. I wanted to do an unexpected turn for a Still Life fruit picture, in which they are normally painted bold and bright and full of life. I intended to do it differently bu making the image appear to move, but also go against the 'full of life' conventions, the quickly disappearing food symbolising how quickly such life can disappear.
This is our first project since starting college- creating a loop and then a short animation revolving around human/animal movement. I had actually created two loops, which was the drinking and then the eyes spinning. As I couldn't choose which to use, I ended up using both which gives a humorous message.
I just realised that I kind of cheated by using human movement but the character being animal. If anyone notices it, that was not intentional. And if no one noticed it then just ignore this whole thing.
I am trying to upload my animatic but for some insane reason, it only wants to upload 4 seconds of... nothing. Huh. Ah well, I'll try again tomorrow I suppose.
But yes this is... a little of Emma's past animation experiences. Enjoy!
I've finally uploaded a few videos to my YouTube channel which has been until now only around to favourite videos in order to link to them in this blog. As well as showing off my college work, I am also including projects I have done before college.
I did this animation for my Extended Project in Sixth Form. Basically, we could study anything we wanted and as I was desperately searching for animation experience, I figured this was the perfect opportunity. I decided to create a short traditional piece of mine and my boyfriend's mutant cat characters Jax and Jinx.
I tried to create realistic cat movements with their bodies and tails. The ball looked a bit too jiggly but it gives me the excuse of saying "They're mutant cats in a lab playing with a jelly like experiment!" Sorted!
This project was a huge help in teaching me what was expected in animators, what can be used, how things can be done and so on. This is where I got my vast knowledge of the 12 Basic Principles... well... vastish.
This is another project done around the same time. This time, I did a project for my Photography class revolving around the theme 'Connecting Pictures' and using Sam Taylor-Wood as inspiration. Her shots portraying decay are brilliantly done and were the exact idea behind this piece. I wanted to do an unexpected turn for a Still Life fruit picture, in which they are normally painted bold and bright and full of life. I intended to do it differently bu making the image appear to move, but also go against the 'full of life' conventions, the quickly disappearing food symbolising how quickly such life can disappear.
This is our first project since starting college- creating a loop and then a short animation revolving around human/animal movement. I had actually created two loops, which was the drinking and then the eyes spinning. As I couldn't choose which to use, I ended up using both which gives a humorous message.
I just realised that I kind of cheated by using human movement but the character being animal. If anyone notices it, that was not intentional. And if no one noticed it then just ignore this whole thing.
I am trying to upload my animatic but for some insane reason, it only wants to upload 4 seconds of... nothing. Huh. Ah well, I'll try again tomorrow I suppose.
But yes this is... a little of Emma's past animation experiences. Enjoy!
A Few Interesting Examples Of Character Animation
After watching the animations on the list I was given, I have picked a few that I would like to comment on. The animations on the list were examples of how characters were depicted in narrations and rhythms and how they made the animation effective. These were picked because I enjoyed how the animation and rhythm/narrative supported or even contrasted each other and, to be honest, they just made me laugh tons. Definitely going in my YouTube favourites when I get home.
Now, I simply HAVE to talk about this one, mainly due to the fact that I remember watching it years ago and giggling at it. After all, I was at that immature age where sex was funny (it still can be but I digress). Now, I am looking at it focusing mainly on the animation and how it flows. This was in the rhythm section as the bunny character is singing and moving along to the general rhythm of the song. The movements at times can be rather random, such as him bashing his head into the ground (although it could be said that this is the character's general frustration that he, if you'll pardon the phrase, isn't getting any), yet it is timed perfectly with the rhythm of the song. Its definitely meant to be amusing and even watching it now, I get a good giggle out of it.
This one is new to me but seems to be rather popular and talked about. I watched this with great amusement. This is my kind of humour really- tongue in cheek humour that makes you either gasp from shock or laugh from it. The animation is similar to cut out and could be seen as an old fashioned style of cartoon. The narration is similar to those associated with 50's voiceovers and adds massively to the humour in how he seems to react calmly, even cheerfully, to George's eventual decent into chaos. Despite a rather... grueseom ending I suppose, it is all very flippant and upbeat in its portrayal. Which just makes it brilliant in my opinion.
This is helpful because it gives me a better understanding of how narration and rhythm can work perfectly with animation to create an interesting and/or funny concept (obviously depending on the plot and what the animator wants to get across). In future projects, its good knowledge to keep handy.
Now, I simply HAVE to talk about this one, mainly due to the fact that I remember watching it years ago and giggling at it. After all, I was at that immature age where sex was funny (it still can be but I digress). Now, I am looking at it focusing mainly on the animation and how it flows. This was in the rhythm section as the bunny character is singing and moving along to the general rhythm of the song. The movements at times can be rather random, such as him bashing his head into the ground (although it could be said that this is the character's general frustration that he, if you'll pardon the phrase, isn't getting any), yet it is timed perfectly with the rhythm of the song. Its definitely meant to be amusing and even watching it now, I get a good giggle out of it.
This one is new to me but seems to be rather popular and talked about. I watched this with great amusement. This is my kind of humour really- tongue in cheek humour that makes you either gasp from shock or laugh from it. The animation is similar to cut out and could be seen as an old fashioned style of cartoon. The narration is similar to those associated with 50's voiceovers and adds massively to the humour in how he seems to react calmly, even cheerfully, to George's eventual decent into chaos. Despite a rather... grueseom ending I suppose, it is all very flippant and upbeat in its portrayal. Which just makes it brilliant in my opinion.
This is helpful because it gives me a better understanding of how narration and rhythm can work perfectly with animation to create an interesting and/or funny concept (obviously depending on the plot and what the animator wants to get across). In future projects, its good knowledge to keep handy.
Well lookee here! Another entry!
Whoohee, I'm not doing very well with these updates. Whoops.
Well, another week has passed and methinks I shall start with a short review of said week. Generally it was rather productive, despite not covering all that I said I would. I have animated a total of three short sequences including backgrounds and created a more believable cut out effect with the use of the drop shadow (which I thank you whole heartedly for introducing me to Paul. I've been using and abusing that thang ever since!)
For an example of how my work looks now compared to how it looked previously, lets take a looksee at this:
I have also created a colour palate for the pigeons which I have found extremely useful, as previously I would be a bit lost getting the EXACT colours when I had already sponge filtered the layers.
What I still need to do however is bulk up on my development sketchbook. I am hindered for time (and printer ink) to print out computer based example work at this precise moment in time so I am putting that on the backburner for the time being but capturing screenshots as I go about my work so that I'm not totally lost for things to discuss in my sketchbook.
Anyway, now is the time to discuss what I am planning to do for the duration of this week! And while such time tables need to be concise, mine was a tad TOO concise. So, I am going to create a more detailed timetable/summary of days... while still being concise. Wish me luck.
Monday- today I am planning to blog the hell out of this thing. I am going to discuss more animations that I have admired or have been told to look at, upload my own work that I have done previously (if YouTube decides to co-operate... cos it... often likes NOT to co-operate with me. Bleh.) and maybe upload concept art of my animation. I'm deciding whether or not to upload videos to YouTube of me talking about my projects, all of which to help me with my development and make the writing up so much easier.
Tuesday- ahh, back to regular work! I still have a number of backgrounds to do, which I plan to finish before I begin on the characters. I still have a few scenes that need to be designed in better detail, which I intend to spend today doing. As I have done the sky for the opening sequence, I still need to do shots of the pigeons on the railings, the bus depo backgrounds and so on. After this, I might possibly be able to begin work on the pigeons but only if I complete the scenery today.
Wednesday- I intend to have the backgrounds done today and then I will be free to work on my adorable little pigeons! Basically what it says on the tin- I will do some inbetweening, colour frames AND I will need to do a lot of drop shadows to make the pigeons look more like paper cut outs and separate them further from the background.
Thursday- Oh joy, our designated Cinema 4D session. Cinema 4D and me ain't friends. It likes to confuse and infuriate me with its insane amount of 3Dness... despite being called 4D. Blah. Your attempts of being humble ain't fooling me boy!
Hopefully (although I'm not holding my breath), I will have learnt more about the program and managed to retain it without having to gnaw on the college Mac in frustration. Seriously Paul, watch out for that. Personally though, I think I might be OK animating my work in Animation Shop 3 or Photoshop as the sequences have been pretty effective so far. But only time will tell.
As for Friday... its my designated day off. To myself. No work getting done today... well, perhaps concept artwork but only because I find that recreational! And maybe colour some frames. But only cos its fun for me! Same on Saturday although with much more productivity. But Sunday? Please, I need at least ONE day to catch up on sleep!
... although I'll probably end up doing some further colouring and/or animation if I've finished the colouring. That's how dedicated I am.
Anyhow as today is Monday (OH THE JOYS *sob*) I am now on my way to look at this list of animations that Dave has handed on a list to me and then blog many other shenanigans there after. All for development. Mmyep.
Well, another week has passed and methinks I shall start with a short review of said week. Generally it was rather productive, despite not covering all that I said I would. I have animated a total of three short sequences including backgrounds and created a more believable cut out effect with the use of the drop shadow (which I thank you whole heartedly for introducing me to Paul. I've been using and abusing that thang ever since!)
For an example of how my work looks now compared to how it looked previously, lets take a looksee at this:
I have also created a colour palate for the pigeons which I have found extremely useful, as previously I would be a bit lost getting the EXACT colours when I had already sponge filtered the layers.
What I still need to do however is bulk up on my development sketchbook. I am hindered for time (and printer ink) to print out computer based example work at this precise moment in time so I am putting that on the backburner for the time being but capturing screenshots as I go about my work so that I'm not totally lost for things to discuss in my sketchbook.
Anyway, now is the time to discuss what I am planning to do for the duration of this week! And while such time tables need to be concise, mine was a tad TOO concise. So, I am going to create a more detailed timetable/summary of days... while still being concise. Wish me luck.
Monday- today I am planning to blog the hell out of this thing. I am going to discuss more animations that I have admired or have been told to look at, upload my own work that I have done previously (if YouTube decides to co-operate... cos it... often likes NOT to co-operate with me. Bleh.) and maybe upload concept art of my animation. I'm deciding whether or not to upload videos to YouTube of me talking about my projects, all of which to help me with my development and make the writing up so much easier.
Tuesday- ahh, back to regular work! I still have a number of backgrounds to do, which I plan to finish before I begin on the characters. I still have a few scenes that need to be designed in better detail, which I intend to spend today doing. As I have done the sky for the opening sequence, I still need to do shots of the pigeons on the railings, the bus depo backgrounds and so on. After this, I might possibly be able to begin work on the pigeons but only if I complete the scenery today.
Wednesday- I intend to have the backgrounds done today and then I will be free to work on my adorable little pigeons! Basically what it says on the tin- I will do some inbetweening, colour frames AND I will need to do a lot of drop shadows to make the pigeons look more like paper cut outs and separate them further from the background.
Thursday- Oh joy, our designated Cinema 4D session. Cinema 4D and me ain't friends. It likes to confuse and infuriate me with its insane amount of 3Dness... despite being called 4D. Blah. Your attempts of being humble ain't fooling me boy!
Hopefully (although I'm not holding my breath), I will have learnt more about the program and managed to retain it without having to gnaw on the college Mac in frustration. Seriously Paul, watch out for that. Personally though, I think I might be OK animating my work in Animation Shop 3 or Photoshop as the sequences have been pretty effective so far. But only time will tell.
As for Friday... its my designated day off. To myself. No work getting done today... well, perhaps concept artwork but only because I find that recreational! And maybe colour some frames. But only cos its fun for me! Same on Saturday although with much more productivity. But Sunday? Please, I need at least ONE day to catch up on sleep!
... although I'll probably end up doing some further colouring and/or animation if I've finished the colouring. That's how dedicated I am.
Anyhow as today is Monday (OH THE JOYS *sob*) I am now on my way to look at this list of animations that Dave has handed on a list to me and then blog many other shenanigans there after. All for development. Mmyep.
Monday 22 November 2010
When in Blogger, Blog!
Hello Monday. Always nice to see you. Except not really.
After a sadly rather unproductive weekend (give or take a few character sketches... and I am cleaning out two different rooms in my house so cut me a little slack here!), I start my blog and this week ready to get on with my work. I have already created my characters from my previous module and am happy with the style and look I have used so at this stage I am doubtful that there is much opportunity for further development, give of take a couple design changes.
Its a very strange but (to me anyway) convenient coincidence that the style we have to create our animation in is in cutout- I had done my animatic in such a style using photoshop. However, after looking at other cutout examples I am starting to consider other ideas that I can use. For example, I have noticed some animations, such as Angela Anaconda, using photography for backgrounds and characters. As my backgrounds are rather simplistic (mainly so as not to distract the audience from the characters yet in my opinion doesn't make the animation look very impressive) I was originally planning to create background noise to suggest where the action is taking place. After looking at other examples of cut out however, I have more ideas I can use that can create a more interesting background but not take the attention away from the character.
To start up, I have looked at different ways people have created cut out animations for two reasons- one being to see what other people have done in the past and to show me what can and won't work for my own work.
Janice and her Butterfly
Janice and Her Butterfly from Edmond Hawkins on Vimeo.
I enjoyed the child like art style used to create the animation, everything from backgrounds to characters being drawn and coloured roughly in crayons and other materials. It actually moves very well which in my opinion makes the scene more impressive.
The Grand Adventure
The Grand Adventure from MizzMeister on Vimeo.
I'm very impressed in the movement in this one as well and how simple yet smooth it is. I was particularly smitten with how they did the clouds and sky in the opening credits. I have something similar for my opening scene and have been worrying about how I would do it so this gives me a few ideas.
"This is an EX-KENNY!"
As South Park has been done on the computer similar to mine, I consider it to be the prime example of the art style I am using. That said, I am going to use more texture to my characters, using the sponge filter tool in photoshop. I picked this example as, to be frank, its hilarious AND is a fitting tribute to Terry Gilliam, who is a cut out guru.
Angela Anaconda
I pick this as an example not so much for the movement of the characters but more so for the backgrounds and how they have been done. They are a good example of photography in cut out yet I notice that they don't distract the audience from the character. I think I will create my backgrounds in a similar way, yet will make them less colourful in photoshop, having the pigeons be the only real colourful things in the scene.
Charlie and Lola
Finally, I chose this one as it is a children's programme created in a cut out style, which I would like to create for my animation. The movement of the characters is something to consider as well and introducing different materials and textures into the mix.
All of these animations in some way relate to each other as I am using different elements of each to create my own. As you can probably tell, I have a lot to say which unfortunately leaves you with a lot to read. Oh well. I'm just doing what I'm told!
Speaking of doing what is expected of me, I also need a rough outline of what I plan to achieve over the week. Well from what I can gather, I need to bulk up my drawing sketchbook with artwork, get to work on the frames, show colour examples and bulk up on my development. All of which I will contribute to bit by bit as the week progresses. So a rather rough outline but it states what I plan to get on with. I was never really one for planning.
Now its all about accomplishing all that work! Better get started!
After a sadly rather unproductive weekend (give or take a few character sketches... and I am cleaning out two different rooms in my house so cut me a little slack here!), I start my blog and this week ready to get on with my work. I have already created my characters from my previous module and am happy with the style and look I have used so at this stage I am doubtful that there is much opportunity for further development, give of take a couple design changes.
Its a very strange but (to me anyway) convenient coincidence that the style we have to create our animation in is in cutout- I had done my animatic in such a style using photoshop. However, after looking at other cutout examples I am starting to consider other ideas that I can use. For example, I have noticed some animations, such as Angela Anaconda, using photography for backgrounds and characters. As my backgrounds are rather simplistic (mainly so as not to distract the audience from the characters yet in my opinion doesn't make the animation look very impressive) I was originally planning to create background noise to suggest where the action is taking place. After looking at other examples of cut out however, I have more ideas I can use that can create a more interesting background but not take the attention away from the character.
To start up, I have looked at different ways people have created cut out animations for two reasons- one being to see what other people have done in the past and to show me what can and won't work for my own work.
Janice and her Butterfly
Janice and Her Butterfly from Edmond Hawkins on Vimeo.
I enjoyed the child like art style used to create the animation, everything from backgrounds to characters being drawn and coloured roughly in crayons and other materials. It actually moves very well which in my opinion makes the scene more impressive.
The Grand Adventure
The Grand Adventure from MizzMeister on Vimeo.
I'm very impressed in the movement in this one as well and how simple yet smooth it is. I was particularly smitten with how they did the clouds and sky in the opening credits. I have something similar for my opening scene and have been worrying about how I would do it so this gives me a few ideas.
"This is an EX-KENNY!"
As South Park has been done on the computer similar to mine, I consider it to be the prime example of the art style I am using. That said, I am going to use more texture to my characters, using the sponge filter tool in photoshop. I picked this example as, to be frank, its hilarious AND is a fitting tribute to Terry Gilliam, who is a cut out guru.
Angela Anaconda
I pick this as an example not so much for the movement of the characters but more so for the backgrounds and how they have been done. They are a good example of photography in cut out yet I notice that they don't distract the audience from the character. I think I will create my backgrounds in a similar way, yet will make them less colourful in photoshop, having the pigeons be the only real colourful things in the scene.
Charlie and Lola
Finally, I chose this one as it is a children's programme created in a cut out style, which I would like to create for my animation. The movement of the characters is something to consider as well and introducing different materials and textures into the mix.
All of these animations in some way relate to each other as I am using different elements of each to create my own. As you can probably tell, I have a lot to say which unfortunately leaves you with a lot to read. Oh well. I'm just doing what I'm told!
Speaking of doing what is expected of me, I also need a rough outline of what I plan to achieve over the week. Well from what I can gather, I need to bulk up my drawing sketchbook with artwork, get to work on the frames, show colour examples and bulk up on my development. All of which I will contribute to bit by bit as the week progresses. So a rather rough outline but it states what I plan to get on with. I was never really one for planning.
Now its all about accomplishing all that work! Better get started!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)