It's the interim1-C and once again, we showed what we have been doing for the past one week. I uploaded my updated animatic for "show and tell". And from the looks of it, I'm way behind schedule. I only manage to finish 2 scenes out of the 7 scenes which had to be done by the end of this week. The rest of the unfinished scenes are either untouched or half-done. That includes scene1 and 2 which I was struggling with.
The feedback and notes that i got was that by Week 11, we had to finish all the scenes that we wrote on our schedule til that week. And i'm lagging by 8scenes. Hmm... And by this time, there should be no more changes to be done for the story-plot or scenes, and we all had to take notes/pay attention to our scenes which requires to "zoom in/out" (timing, proportion, perspective, etc.) Well, that's all for now.
Hello weekends! =)
ANd am back to work x,...,X
You're Listening to a shuffled video playlist...
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Week9 Contact13 - Scene 32a The Roof + OT
Its week 9 already! I'm soooo behind schedule. Just decided to skip Scene2 for awhile and just cary on with the rest, cos scene2 makes me go "zomb-ing" at the computer screen for hours after just a few minutes of work on the scene. Oh well.. I suppose to be done with Scene11 back Monday and Tuesday, but instead, I've wasted those time struggling with scene2. *sigh Aites. I carried on with Scene 32 and the other scenes on my schedule. After completing the line-art and tones for Scene32, I showed to Ronald, and he commented that i had to put more depth or edges to the roof lines/edge. M-hm.. yupyupyup..
Oh.. And Im thinking of re-doing scene1c, cos the style may be different from what I've been doing with the rest now. It's killing me x,...,X.
I'm also thinking of changing the motion of scene1 to scene2. There was too many camera movements which made it look too draggy. So for scene 1 where the 'news articles + news telecast' overlaps an 'earthquake scene', instead of overlapping just 1, i'll make it 2 earthquake scenes (the other was taken from the first half of scene 2 - panning scene). Therefore, there won't be any panning shots for scene2. That's all for now.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Interim1B Contact12 - 2nd Critic Session
It's presentation day. I got to present after.... who i was presenting after? hm... nvm.
So most of us showed our updated animatic (update with the scenes that we have done this week). I showed mine with scene 1 and 30 updated, and i find scene 30 pretty nicely done due to the blur effects which made it seemed that the character just regain his consciousness.
The feedback that i got was, the colour of scene 1 needs to be desaturated a little and scene2 speed was too slow therefore, quicken the speed a little.
That was all to it. Other than that, Vivien mentioned that some people noticed that my animation had a lot of "zoom in" shots. True enough. Probably due to the longggg "zoom in" scene2 which made it look draggy etc. Aites.. back to production..
So most of us showed our updated animatic (update with the scenes that we have done this week). I showed mine with scene 1 and 30 updated, and i find scene 30 pretty nicely done due to the blur effects which made it seemed that the character just regain his consciousness.
The feedback that i got was, the colour of scene 1 needs to be desaturated a little and scene2 speed was too slow therefore, quicken the speed a little.
That was all to it. Other than that, Vivien mentioned that some people noticed that my animation had a lot of "zoom in" shots. True enough. Probably due to the longggg "zoom in" scene2 which made it look draggy etc. Aites.. back to production..
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Week8 Contact11- D Scene 30 + OT
It's a day before the critic session, or interim 1-B where those under Ronald will sit together and show the things that they have done so far. Each will present their works, followed by feedbacks/critics or suggestions that will be given by Ronald or the rest of the group.
So i was pretty much rushed with the things that i had to prepare for the presentation tomorrow. I was working on Scene 30 and had some problem with the focal point. So i asked Vivien and some others (i think) about it. Scene 30 was in a POV of the main character when he wokes up in the hospital, to see his mother by his side and the doctor.
At that time when i asked Vivi, i told her that i found scene 30 unpleasant looking. What i mean is, when you look at it, you some what find your eye irritated and it seems to travel everywhere in the frame. Well, for such a scene, the mother should be the focal point, so while discussing, we come to a conclusion about the location of the character and such, so i edited the mothers location.
Later i asked Ronald about scene 30, (i still find it quite, "something is wrong", though it looked much better), so he figured that the mother's eye was looking at the wrong direction cos she seemed to be looking over his head, rather than looking at her son. Sooo... yup. got that fixed now. ^,....,^
*sigh.. i still got scene 2 to work with. aites.. back to work.
So i was pretty much rushed with the things that i had to prepare for the presentation tomorrow. I was working on Scene 30 and had some problem with the focal point. So i asked Vivien and some others (i think) about it. Scene 30 was in a POV of the main character when he wokes up in the hospital, to see his mother by his side and the doctor.
At that time when i asked Vivi, i told her that i found scene 30 unpleasant looking. What i mean is, when you look at it, you some what find your eye irritated and it seems to travel everywhere in the frame. Well, for such a scene, the mother should be the focal point, so while discussing, we come to a conclusion about the location of the character and such, so i edited the mothers location.
Later i asked Ronald about scene 30, (i still find it quite, "something is wrong", though it looked much better), so he figured that the mother's eye was looking at the wrong direction cos she seemed to be looking over his head, rather than looking at her son. Sooo... yup. got that fixed now. ^,....,^
*sigh.. i still got scene 2 to work with. aites.. back to work.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Week8 Contact10 - The Character Design2 + OT
It's the Wednesday of week 8, and im not sure if i should be saying that i've completed even a scene. *sigh
I got part of scene 1 done and halfway through scene 2 and 30. man i need to really brush up.
Well.. im happy enough today that i finally got the guy character approve. I made a rough sketch of the guy character in my sketch book and showed it to Ronald (my lecturer/FYP supervisor). He (the character) looks like a drug addict @,....,@
i think most of you guys would say the same since Ronald and a few others (my friends/coursemates) did.
and..woots! finally im able to move on with my production. i'll edit this post later adding with my rough sketch later. for now, i'll go back with production.
*looking at the xmas tree in the studio cheers me up a little. ^,...,^
some of my coursemates suggested getting a xmas tree since most of the animation majors would probably be working in the studio during the xmas 2weeks holidays, doing our FYP. The xmas tree was sponsored by my batch of coursemates (mostly the animation majors), we paid and a few of us went to get the tree and came back to the studio, piecing it up together. We wrote our names on the ball decorations and put it up on the tree, and so did our lecturers ^,....,^ it was a nice picture in our minds, the bright cheerful faces in the mids of our stressful project XD
That's all for now ^,....,^
I got part of scene 1 done and halfway through scene 2 and 30. man i need to really brush up.
Well.. im happy enough today that i finally got the guy character approve. I made a rough sketch of the guy character in my sketch book and showed it to Ronald (my lecturer/FYP supervisor). He (the character) looks like a drug addict @,....,@
i think most of you guys would say the same since Ronald and a few others (my friends/coursemates) did.
and..woots! finally im able to move on with my production. i'll edit this post later adding with my rough sketch later. for now, i'll go back with production.
*looking at the xmas tree in the studio cheers me up a little. ^,...,^
some of my coursemates suggested getting a xmas tree since most of the animation majors would probably be working in the studio during the xmas 2weeks holidays, doing our FYP. The xmas tree was sponsored by my batch of coursemates (mostly the animation majors), we paid and a few of us went to get the tree and came back to the studio, piecing it up together. We wrote our names on the ball decorations and put it up on the tree, and so did our lecturers ^,....,^ it was a nice picture in our minds, the bright cheerful faces in the mids of our stressful project XD
That's all for now ^,....,^
Friday, December 4, 2009
Interim1A Contact9 - The 1st Critic Session
Havent been able to post or update the blog with production in hand. Things are getting busier every second. Like what i've mentioned in some previous post, our class who is under the supervision of Ronald will be having their own critic session every end of the weekday (Friday) which is today.
Each of us were told to show the things that we have done for production so that everyone of us are able to help by giving suggestions and critics so that we could improve as a whole.
Didn't have much to show except for my character design for my mother character (a rough sketch) and a piece of Scene01.
Comments received from peers and lecturers:
Each of us were told to show the things that we have done for production so that everyone of us are able to help by giving suggestions and critics so that we could improve as a whole.Didn't have much to show except for my character design for my mother character (a rough sketch) and a piece of Scene01.
Comments received from peers and lecturers:One of the people seemed to be floating.
The people/characters blend in too well with the background.
Therefore add solid shadow to show the difference.
Notes taken:When do keyframing or animating, be sure to consult with Ronald straight away so that time and effort are not wasted.
Print out the gant chart and submit it to him next week.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Week7 Contact8 - Character Designs
Its week7 and things got busy. Production.....
Well, i had to make a change on my gant chart due to the changes caused by the interim. I had to re-design my characters.
Did some parts from Scene 01, and went to consult with Ronald about the character designs.
We covered on some of the things that i need to concentrate, working on the character designs, and what features or designs that might define the character as a bad person.
The edits that i made wasn't bad enough or didn't portray the characterisitcs of the character like what it mention in the story brief.
So here are some pointers i got:
Well, i had to make a change on my gant chart due to the changes caused by the interim. I had to re-design my characters.
Did some parts from Scene 01, and went to consult with Ronald about the character designs.
We covered on some of the things that i need to concentrate, working on the character designs, and what features or designs that might define the character as a bad person.
The edits that i made wasn't bad enough or didn't portray the characterisitcs of the character like what it mention in the story brief.
So here are some pointers i got:
- Clothes does not necessarily show the characteristics of the character as it may just be a trend/fashion. (eg. a person wearing a street punk clothings with his shirt half-tucked, and have a numerous piercings on his ear may not necessarily be a bad person; its just a trend)
- Design the character, concentrating on his features. (eg. some bad guys have thick eyebrow, moustache and a "fierce-looking" eyes)
Friday, November 27, 2009
OT - Aftermath Brief for Production
After the interim presentation, Ronald briefed us about some of the things that we need to know or prepare for our animation, and also other things for production.
- Group presentation/critic session every Friday (excluding public/school holidays)
- Character Designs: Work on something to your own capabilities or that you can easily draw and animate.
- 1st priority: Principles of Animation
- 2nd Priority: Work to your capabilities
- Look for references for animation (learn from Vivien's example)
- Written report to be submitted, which includes the regular consultation with Ronald.
- Attendance will be taken every Friday (the critic session)
- You might get warning letter from Ronald to let you know if you are way back from the group. (its a reminder that you've been warn. )
- Dont work on the weekends; take a break
- Get an estimations of the no. of drawings you need in an hour.
- 12 frames/sec in flash.
- Pacing rough sketch on flash before you work on it.
- Group presentation/critic session every Friday (excluding public/school holidays)
- Character Designs: Work on something to your own capabilities or that you can easily draw and animate.
- 1st priority: Principles of Animation
- 2nd Priority: Work to your capabilities
- Look for references for animation (learn from Vivien's example)
- Written report to be submitted, which includes the regular consultation with Ronald.
- Attendance will be taken every Friday (the critic session)
- You might get warning letter from Ronald to let you know if you are way back from the group. (its a reminder that you've been warn. )
- Dont work on the weekends; take a break
- Get an estimations of the no. of drawings you need in an hour.
- 12 frames/sec in flash.
- Pacing rough sketch on flash before you work on it.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Interim 1 - The Animatic
Woots! Interim 1 is finally over!! =)
Well.. Is not as bad as i thought it would be, compared to what i've heard from the previous groups. I guess video had alot to say compared to the animation group. Nevermind. Keep working hard you guys, moi-ans cheers! ^,...,^
So back to the subject on my interim.The firs interim, we presented our animatics before our story briefs, aims, target audience, character designs, moodboards and many other things.
Feedbacks:
- Since you put audio as one of the aims, you should have it in the animatics.
- Should have used the substitute SFX for audio test.
- Add the opening title in the animatics
- The style of the animation should show that he is unconcious.
- The character design on the mother and son; there wasn't much difference in age.
- Main character design doesn't portray the characteristics of what's written in the story brief, as in how it should be.
- The mother is young and too sexy to be his mum.
So in conclusion, i would have to refurnish my character designs and have the audio ready for the next Interim or Mid-critic session. Hello for production. =)
Well.. Is not as bad as i thought it would be, compared to what i've heard from the previous groups. I guess video had alot to say compared to the animation group. Nevermind. Keep working hard you guys, moi-ans cheers! ^,...,^
So back to the subject on my interim.The firs interim, we presented our animatics before our story briefs, aims, target audience, character designs, moodboards and many other things.
Feedbacks:
- Since you put audio as one of the aims, you should have it in the animatics.
- Should have used the substitute SFX for audio test.
- Add the opening title in the animatics
- The style of the animation should show that he is unconcious.
- The character design on the mother and son; there wasn't much difference in age.
- Main character design doesn't portray the characteristics of what's written in the story brief, as in how it should be.
- The mother is young and too sexy to be his mum.
So in conclusion, i would have to refurnish my character designs and have the audio ready for the next Interim or Mid-critic session. Hello for production. =)
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
OT - Preparations for Interim 1
It's almost a week since I've been blogging. I guessed i got too busy or occupied with the preparations that i haven't got much time to update the blog. I was preparing for the interim and the whole lots of other things.
Listed down the things that i have to prepare.
- Animatics
- Powerpoint Slide
- Story Brief
- Primary and Secondary Aims
- Animation Treatment
- Target Audience
- Research Plan
- References
- FYP Schedule/Gant Chart
- Character Design
- Moodboard
Am gona post some of those up soon. So be prepared.. wakakakka.. (its not like theres many that reading this anyway <,...,< )
Listed down the things that i have to prepare.
- Animatics
- Powerpoint Slide
- Story Brief
- Primary and Secondary Aims
- Animation Treatment
- Target Audience
- Research Plan
- References
- FYP Schedule/Gant Chart
- Character Design
- Moodboard
Am gona post some of those up soon. So be prepared.. wakakakka.. (its not like theres many that reading this anyway <,...,< )
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
OT - Animatic, Storyboards & Moodboards
It's Wednesday and I'm left with a total of 7 days til interim1. I'm starting on my animatic and numbering my storyboards into scenes, so i could roughly know how many scenes i have to get done by a day.
And not forgetting that i have to change 2 frame angles in the storyboard and fixing the moodboard. I'll do it while working on my animatic, means putting the moodboard into the animatic, so that viewers would have a rough idea of how the animation would look like.
So I'm gona go and carry on with my work and I'll be back to update if there's any 'happenings' to share.
Jana.
And not forgetting that i have to change 2 frame angles in the storyboard and fixing the moodboard. I'll do it while working on my animatic, means putting the moodboard into the animatic, so that viewers would have a rough idea of how the animation would look like.
So I'm gona go and carry on with my work and I'll be back to update if there's any 'happenings' to share.
Jana.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Week5 Contact6 - Moodboard & Animation Style
It's week5 and got my storyboard done and all, but yet to change the 2 frames and update this blog's storyboard. I did some rough moodboards on the different locations/areas in the animation and showed it to Ronald to see if its alright.
At the same time, i asked about the character line style and used frame 35 to test for moodboard and animation style. Cos if you take a look at my storyboard, the style i had was pretty sketchy.
I made the character in frame 35 in different version of lines. One was clean and the other was the one from the storyboards. Before asking Ronald, i actually asked Vivien about it and she said that the sketchy one give out more emotion compared to the line one. So when i showed to Ronald and ask for his opinion, he chose the sketch one too. So i guess i'll be working with that. =)
Continue with her leftovers.
At the same time, i asked about the character line style and used frame 35 to test for moodboard and animation style. Cos if you take a look at my storyboard, the style i had was pretty sketchy.
I made the character in frame 35 in different version of lines. One was clean and the other was the one from the storyboards. Before asking Ronald, i actually asked Vivien about it and she said that the sketchy one give out more emotion compared to the line one. So when i showed to Ronald and ask for his opinion, he chose the sketch one too. So i guess i'll be working with that. =)
Continue with her leftovers.
Friday, November 13, 2009
OT - Story Opinions & Mood board
It's Friday and am working on my leftover storyboards and moodboards. I'm left with 1.5 week to interim on Thursday. Wish me luck.
Oh.. I mentioned about sending over my storyboard to Amanda and she replied. For a summary, instead of having his character being bad and showing regret over what he did while walking through the dream, and waking up in the hospital, i should have the character looking for hope and searching in his dream for some life and in the end, he felt like he is in a lost of hope when the children he sees at the playground was only an illusion, (knowing after he tried to approach them, they dissapeared) which made an impression of pity and that the character deserve to be save. And thats when he gain concious from his dreams. hm..
I paste Amanda's message below. For ref. Hm..
---------------------
Hi Hanis,
I'm glad my suggestions were helpful. ;) I've just taken a peek at your boards. I like the drawings - very nice job! :) Some questions and thoughts...
As for your story, I find the ending a little confusing. Was he dreaming all the time he was walking and recalling his past? If he had been trapped under the rubble for some time, he'd probably be really tired, hungry and weak - his 1st instinct would be to look for signs of survival, food and living civilisation. Shouldn't he be really happy to see the boy? My thoughts bout the boy are - if this was really a "dead" town, the boy could be out to play/scavenging for useful items to bring home and is wary of people. Your guy would be really happy to see him and would want to approach him for help. Instead the boy gets fearful and flees, leaving your guy in the lurch.
Because your character seems strong enough to hold up for so long, it almost feels likes he's dead/ or zombie like. For now, the only softness to him is through his memories.
Honestly, I think your story is really quite long as well and I'm afraid you might not get to finish it. It does get a little draggy too - coz the beginning is rather short and we see a whole length of his memories/walk - there's no climax and when it does end, it doesn't feel very exciting. Think of what the key moments are. I'm going to suggest a cut short to your story here - I'd like to suggest that we see perhaps one of his memories whilst he was in the rubble - he's about to give up hope, but he remembers something (a loved one perhaps) and that keeps him from wanting to give up. He struggles and finds a way out, he finally makes his way to sunlight, but loses hope as he realises it's empty and deserted. He goes a little way (not too long pls) sees the boy and we think it's another glimmer of hope. But the boy deserts him as well due to fear and once again he feels lost. In despair, he slumps down in weakness and starts daydreaming/hallucinating. He dreams of going home - he's stronger in his dream, so it makes sense that he's so mobile. The home could be empty and he comes across belongings and sees the photoframe, cries and to dramatise it, you could have his memories fading - he's losing consciousness and he sees blurred images of some ppl and the boy (who's come back with ppl to check him out). Your ending could come into play. He's survived the ordeal and is grateful. What I'm trying to suggest is, you need to have climaxes - he needs hope, but everytime there's hope, it disappears (making the audience symphatise with him and finally at the end, when he's really losing hope, something good happens to save him and we as an audience will feel that he deserves to be saved.
I know that's a lot for you to think about. But please remember, if it's already taking you so long to board, it would take you longer to animate a clear story. Keep it concise and to the point because you need to factor in the animation, coloring and miscellaneous production processes. You might like to check out Lecturer Mathias Heng's (from VSC) photos. He documented the Padang earthquake recently. http://www.mathiasheng.com/padangearthquake.htm
Hope all this helps! All the best to your interim 1! Let me know how it goes. :) Btw, I read that you visited the hospital, is everything alright? Please take care.
Best regards,
Amanda
Oh.. I mentioned about sending over my storyboard to Amanda and she replied. For a summary, instead of having his character being bad and showing regret over what he did while walking through the dream, and waking up in the hospital, i should have the character looking for hope and searching in his dream for some life and in the end, he felt like he is in a lost of hope when the children he sees at the playground was only an illusion, (knowing after he tried to approach them, they dissapeared) which made an impression of pity and that the character deserve to be save. And thats when he gain concious from his dreams. hm..
I paste Amanda's message below. For ref. Hm..
---------------------
Hi Hanis,
I'm glad my suggestions were helpful. ;) I've just taken a peek at your boards. I like the drawings - very nice job! :) Some questions and thoughts...
As for your story, I find the ending a little confusing. Was he dreaming all the time he was walking and recalling his past? If he had been trapped under the rubble for some time, he'd probably be really tired, hungry and weak - his 1st instinct would be to look for signs of survival, food and living civilisation. Shouldn't he be really happy to see the boy? My thoughts bout the boy are - if this was really a "dead" town, the boy could be out to play/scavenging for useful items to bring home and is wary of people. Your guy would be really happy to see him and would want to approach him for help. Instead the boy gets fearful and flees, leaving your guy in the lurch.
Because your character seems strong enough to hold up for so long, it almost feels likes he's dead/ or zombie like. For now, the only softness to him is through his memories.
Honestly, I think your story is really quite long as well and I'm afraid you might not get to finish it. It does get a little draggy too - coz the beginning is rather short and we see a whole length of his memories/walk - there's no climax and when it does end, it doesn't feel very exciting. Think of what the key moments are. I'm going to suggest a cut short to your story here - I'd like to suggest that we see perhaps one of his memories whilst he was in the rubble - he's about to give up hope, but he remembers something (a loved one perhaps) and that keeps him from wanting to give up. He struggles and finds a way out, he finally makes his way to sunlight, but loses hope as he realises it's empty and deserted. He goes a little way (not too long pls) sees the boy and we think it's another glimmer of hope. But the boy deserts him as well due to fear and once again he feels lost. In despair, he slumps down in weakness and starts daydreaming/hallucinating. He dreams of going home - he's stronger in his dream, so it makes sense that he's so mobile. The home could be empty and he comes across belongings and sees the photoframe, cries and to dramatise it, you could have his memories fading - he's losing consciousness and he sees blurred images of some ppl and the boy (who's come back with ppl to check him out). Your ending could come into play. He's survived the ordeal and is grateful. What I'm trying to suggest is, you need to have climaxes - he needs hope, but everytime there's hope, it disappears (making the audience symphatise with him and finally at the end, when he's really losing hope, something good happens to save him and we as an audience will feel that he deserves to be saved.
I know that's a lot for you to think about. But please remember, if it's already taking you so long to board, it would take you longer to animate a clear story. Keep it concise and to the point because you need to factor in the animation, coloring and miscellaneous production processes. You might like to check out Lecturer Mathias Heng's (from VSC) photos. He documented the Padang earthquake recently. http://www.mathiasheng.com/padangearthquake.htm
Hope all this helps! All the best to your interim 1! Let me know how it goes. :) Btw, I read that you visited the hospital, is everything alright? Please take care.
Best regards,
Amanda
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Week4 Contact5 - The Storyboard
Well, its all thumbs up, just that i'm missing some dynamic shots and Ronald ask to change or add some (about 2) 3/4 view/shots cos' most of the shots i got were front and side, and little of 3/4. Yupsie..
Hm... I think I'll change frame 15 and 29. I'll make a bird eye view for 15. maybe that might give more impact and feeling about him alone in a dead city, studying his surrounding. and for 29, i guess i'll place the camera at the corner of the room, so it will make a better introduction of the room while he opens the door. make sense? hm.. or should i choose other frames? hm...
Aites! So back to doing the leftovers. woots! =)
OT - The Hospital and The Leftovers
It's Thursday, just got back from a medical checkup at the hospital, before coming to school. Lucky that the interim got pushed back by a week, cos i got another appointment next week, same day. I wonder i wonder..
And here i am in school, updating 2 more page of stob and checking with Ronald if there's any need of changes in a few minutes. And more leftovers to be done. Gotta update my character sheets and moodboard sooner or later. Then im gona do a scratch audio and record some guitars and keyboards. Boy oh boy.. m-hm..
And im thinking about showing my stob to Amanda, one of the former lecturers here. hmhm...
To be continued after the meet. m-hm..
EDIT: Oh.. After the consultation with Ronald and all that, i went to continue with what was left. Then i decided to do some colour test run on the character. Vivien suggested his hair to be in blue, and his eyes somewhat green/blue.. M-hm.. Tried, and used hue to see it in diff colours. I guess its a good pick. i'll upload some pics tmr.
And here i am in school, updating 2 more page of stob and checking with Ronald if there's any need of changes in a few minutes. And more leftovers to be done. Gotta update my character sheets and moodboard sooner or later. Then im gona do a scratch audio and record some guitars and keyboards. Boy oh boy.. m-hm..
And im thinking about showing my stob to Amanda, one of the former lecturers here. hmhm...
To be continued after the meet. m-hm..
EDIT: Oh.. After the consultation with Ronald and all that, i went to continue with what was left. Then i decided to do some colour test run on the character. Vivien suggested his hair to be in blue, and his eyes somewhat green/blue.. M-hm.. Tried, and used hue to see it in diff colours. I guess its a good pick. i'll upload some pics tmr.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
OT - Full Storyboard
I think i'm gona have to put a complete storyboard in one post so that it be easier to read and keep for reference or something. It's Wednesday and I'm not sure why I find myself incredibly slow today. 2 days ago, i could clear 3 pages of storyboard in a day, but these few days, i found myself only be able to finish about a page per day. why????!!!!! =,....,= sigh*
curses... @,...,@ how i wish i could get most things done by the end of the week. and oh.. Interim was pushed a week back, so we got another week to prepare for interim. that's a good news, but that doesnt mean we should take things easy. The things to do/finish, storyboard, animatic, moodboard, character sheets, audios.. x,....,X
curses... @,...,@ how i wish i could get most things done by the end of the week. and oh.. Interim was pushed a week back, so we got another week to prepare for interim. that's a good news, but that doesnt mean we should take things easy. The things to do/finish, storyboard, animatic, moodboard, character sheets, audios.. x,....,X
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
OT - Storyboarding
Monday, November 9, 2009
OT - Storyboarding
It's the fourth week and im working on my official storyboard before i could start with my animatic. I'm pretty much behind time and i only got myself to blame x,....,X
Oh well... Got some of my storyboards done and hoping to get it all done by tomorrow so i could show some things to Ronald for consultation, and also my characters and moodboard. All the best for everyone. =)
Oh.. here's some of it..
Oh well... Got some of my storyboards done and hoping to get it all done by tomorrow so i could show some things to Ronald for consultation, and also my characters and moodboard. All the best for everyone. =)
Oh.. here's some of it..
Friday, November 6, 2009
Week3 Contact4 - Learning Contract
It's Friday!! The end of the weekday. I showed Ronald my learning contract and was told to change my primary aims. I wrote it too specific, therefore if the judges would judge base on it and if it never got achieve, i would be getting a fail mark for it. That's not good.
So i had to rewrite my primary aim, and think about what i want to be judge on. Hm.. The flow, mood of the animation? So basically i rewrote it and finally got a green light, and thats for the Learning Contract submission. I'll write one below just to keep for records.
Working Title: Specs of Life
Short description: An ungrateful person, who was never humble to those around him, suddenly was involved in a natural disaster. When he regained "consciousness", he finds himself in a dead city. Realising and regretting his past mistakes, he wakes up to find himself in the hospital and turned to become a better person.
Primary aim: To be able to show the situation by the mood of the backgrounds, environment designs and animation.
I will know I have achieved my primary aim if... When people are able to tell the situation of the scene, i.e. a disaster or an imagination/illusion, etc.
Secondary aims: To be able to portray the mood and story through audio and visuals.
I will know I have achieved my secondary aim if... When people are able to understand the story and feel the mood after watching or while watching the animation.
Personal Motivation: I was inspired by a true story from a survivor of the Padang earthquakes, where he share his experience and what he sees while the building he was in collapse. While he was under the rubble, all he saw was darkness and all he could think of is his family and the people he cared, and also asking for forgiveness from God for the sins he did. And after he was actually ready to die, he got rescued about 3hours later.
Story short synopsis: An ungrateful person who was never humble to those around him, suddenly was involved in a natural disaster where the building he was in, collapsed. When he regained "consciousness", he walked through the city, to find everyone dead. As he walked through the city, he find some places which reminded him about what he did wrong in the past and realising his mistakes, he regretted what he did. He then walks home to find the place looking unlifely. He walks up to his mother's room and found an old frame portrait of him and his mom. He recalled doing bad things to his mum and remembered some of the wonderful things he and his mum shared when he was a little boy. Regretting what he has done, he then wakes up from the dream, and find himself in the hospital and his mom beside him. From then on, he changed to become a better person and a better son.
Format: 2D Animation
Duration: 3-5mins
Genre: Chaos, Fantasy
Concept: Simplified realistic cartoon style, with realistic textured background. Spontaneous an paper cut animation style.
Anticipated Difficulties: Dealing with a number of characters' animation and getting reference. Time management and to be able to make good visuals that will be able to tell the mood and the flow of the story. In getting resources for the type of SFX that i wanted, and to get/compose the music that will match the visuals well.
Research requirements:
- Research; Find pictures of cities that was attacked by earthquake for reference
- Pictures of locations; home, city, hospital, streets, playground, etc.
- Reference on walk cycle and other movements by finding books or web resources that covers on it, or take a video or pictures for it.
- Software techniques
- Digital Paint
- Lighting techniques
- Concept colours/textures
Additional resources:
- Photo/Video Reference for character and perspective
- Take digital photos or film HD video of the scenes that requires animating or in need of reference. Places/locations that could be use as reference for the animation such as the house, rooms, streets and angle shots
So i had to rewrite my primary aim, and think about what i want to be judge on. Hm.. The flow, mood of the animation? So basically i rewrote it and finally got a green light, and thats for the Learning Contract submission. I'll write one below just to keep for records.
Working Title: Specs of Life
Short description: An ungrateful person, who was never humble to those around him, suddenly was involved in a natural disaster. When he regained "consciousness", he finds himself in a dead city. Realising and regretting his past mistakes, he wakes up to find himself in the hospital and turned to become a better person.
Primary aim: To be able to show the situation by the mood of the backgrounds, environment designs and animation.
I will know I have achieved my primary aim if... When people are able to tell the situation of the scene, i.e. a disaster or an imagination/illusion, etc.
Secondary aims: To be able to portray the mood and story through audio and visuals.
I will know I have achieved my secondary aim if... When people are able to understand the story and feel the mood after watching or while watching the animation.
Personal Motivation: I was inspired by a true story from a survivor of the Padang earthquakes, where he share his experience and what he sees while the building he was in collapse. While he was under the rubble, all he saw was darkness and all he could think of is his family and the people he cared, and also asking for forgiveness from God for the sins he did. And after he was actually ready to die, he got rescued about 3hours later.
Story short synopsis: An ungrateful person who was never humble to those around him, suddenly was involved in a natural disaster where the building he was in, collapsed. When he regained "consciousness", he walked through the city, to find everyone dead. As he walked through the city, he find some places which reminded him about what he did wrong in the past and realising his mistakes, he regretted what he did. He then walks home to find the place looking unlifely. He walks up to his mother's room and found an old frame portrait of him and his mom. He recalled doing bad things to his mum and remembered some of the wonderful things he and his mum shared when he was a little boy. Regretting what he has done, he then wakes up from the dream, and find himself in the hospital and his mom beside him. From then on, he changed to become a better person and a better son.
Format: 2D Animation
Duration: 3-5mins
Genre: Chaos, Fantasy
Concept: Simplified realistic cartoon style, with realistic textured background. Spontaneous an paper cut animation style.
Anticipated Difficulties: Dealing with a number of characters' animation and getting reference. Time management and to be able to make good visuals that will be able to tell the mood and the flow of the story. In getting resources for the type of SFX that i wanted, and to get/compose the music that will match the visuals well.
Research requirements:
- Research; Find pictures of cities that was attacked by earthquake for reference
- Pictures of locations; home, city, hospital, streets, playground, etc.
- Reference on walk cycle and other movements by finding books or web resources that covers on it, or take a video or pictures for it.
- Software techniques
- Digital Paint
- Lighting techniques
- Concept colours/textures
Additional resources:
- Photo/Video Reference for character and perspective
- Take digital photos or film HD video of the scenes that requires animating or in need of reference. Places/locations that could be use as reference for the animation such as the house, rooms, streets and angle shots
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Week3 Contact3 - Storyline & Thumbnails/Storyboard
Finally got to show Ronald my thumbnails and the storyline. He said its all okay except for a scene which i portray a small picture frame of him when he was a little boy, and his mum. Ronald said that i had to be sure that when people see it, they know its him and his mother and not mistaken them as his wife and son. So it looks like that i have to make him not too young or something like that. M-hm..
And Friday would be the Learning Contract submission and i have yet to show Ronald the concept and animation style that im going for. Well... That's all for now. =)
And Friday would be the Learning Contract submission and i have yet to show Ronald the concept and animation style that im going for. Well... That's all for now. =)
Friday, October 30, 2009
OT - Concept Sketch and thumbnails
It's the end of the weekday and finalise my story flow and had a rough concept sketch of the character style. What's left is consulting with Ronald about it and see what he says about it. I'll post up what ever i've done as soon i scan it.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
OT - Reflecting
It's Thursday and just had my lunch with a group of friends/coursemates, right after our director's talk about the plans for Diploma Show etc. I can't think of any organisation or anything that i could propose my animation story to. ahahaha.. I could only think for some of my other friends. *Sigh. One heaven and hell of a show this afternoon. And i'm thinking if i should take part in the collaboration project with the other school for my FYP. The only problem is that most of us here animation majors have already thought about their story during their SIP, and by now they are already in the middle of pre-production, and to back out suddenly...... Some would feel that those months of brainstoriming would be a waste or some are already too attached to their stories. Others don't want to spoil their work by doing something new or challenging, and choose to be safe. Ahaha.. some of us got mad after the talk, thinking that she might be thinking badly about us as if we think the collaboration project is a crap when we never thought such, since no one actually step up to take the collaboration project. And due to that, she thought twice about whether she should share with us about the other projects they got for us. Not blaming her, but the video majors would be missing their chances just because of the little matter of the animation majors. Okay maybe not little.. *Sigh.. The world is such a complicated place filled with lots of misunderstandings. =,...,=III
Now we're all in our studios, and some of us are waiting for Ronald's arrival, so that they could start consulting about their projects. m-hm... as for me, i'm gona go and do my concept now.. chiao..
To be continued...
Now we're all in our studios, and some of us are waiting for Ronald's arrival, so that they could start consulting about their projects. m-hm... as for me, i'm gona go and do my concept now.. chiao..
To be continued...
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
OT - Concept Sketch and storyboard
Still sketching and developing and not posting it till its done...
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
FYP Table
A very rough table of my FYP schedule.. Hope to start laying out the scenes ASAP as soon as im all ups on my story and visuals. Chiao.. *scribble scribble
Week2 Contact2 - Chosen Idea & Feedbacks
It's the 2nd week of FYP (Final Year Project) and I've finally decided to work on the "chaotic" theme story idea (refer below) instead of the "emo" theme.
Brief Story Synopsis:
An ungrateful person who was never humble, living in a life where he was someone successful but never did help the needy/poor or being ungrateful to those around him. Suddenly he was involved in a natural disaster where the building he's in, collapse. When he regained "conscious", he walked through the city, to find everyone dead. As he walked through the dead city, he find some places which reminded him of some memories which he wish he could have change or appreciate it better, regretting what he did. He later wakes up to find himself in the hospital bed and everything he saw was a dream. And more than that, he turned to become a better man.
So just wana round up some comments or feedback i got from others. =)
I sent an email to my former lecturer Amanda about the story ideas and asked which she would prefer or advice to work with. So here's her feedback.
"Of all the 3 stories, I like the story from the Padang quake best. The 1st two, although meaningful are a little cliche as I've seen students try going down that Emo path for their FYPs and not do well. When you're tackling something emo, like in the poem in this case, it's a lot about bringing out the sad emotions. If not done well, will end up looking flat and emotionless and at times, aimless too.As for the Padang quake, I could see it being done in an experimental sort of way with lots of contrast to play with. His claustrophobia in the dark compared to the open space above him as the workers struggle to dig the survivors out, or that compared to his memories of a time when he enjoyed a time of joy in the open bright sunshine. etc. It's emotional, and yet already has some visuals I can imagine from. There is also somewhat a flow of a story - man calling out in the dark, we realise he's stuck, as soon as he thinks he's about to be saved from sounds he hears, they pass them by. He's about to give up and eventually gets saved. I could see you ending your story with him in the hospital - dramatic sunlight coming through the window... like a glimpse of new hope."
Other feedback that i got from friends were pretty much the same. They preferred the "chaotic" theme and thought that it had more meanings and gives a better take away compared to the "emo" theme". And just like Amanda mention, some might think that the "emo" is overly rated or common. It gives a dead feeling and nothing much to it.
And looking through it, i gave a thought and agreed that the "emo" theme story gives a constant "beeeeeeeeeeeeppp..." like a dead monitor heartbeat and could do much better with the other concept. So here point forward, im gona work on with my chosen story, and yes ask for my Lecturer Ronald's advice or takes about it. And here's what i've discussed with him and what he thought about it.
I told him on the story i chose to work on and what are some of the things im gona portray in the animation, for example, the main character going through his daily lives, being his usual ungrateful rude self, never humble to those around him. And later after the incident, he found himself walking through the "dead" city, remembering those things that he did.
Ronald's feedback:
Some beginning examples he gave:
- At the scene of the incident (the collapse of the buildings), rescuers looking out for survivors, the whole hysteria or disastrous surrounding and the main character under the rubble.
So I'm gona start working on some storyboards and concept sketch.
Brief Story Synopsis:
An ungrateful person who was never humble, living in a life where he was someone successful but never did help the needy/poor or being ungrateful to those around him. Suddenly he was involved in a natural disaster where the building he's in, collapse. When he regained "conscious", he walked through the city, to find everyone dead. As he walked through the dead city, he find some places which reminded him of some memories which he wish he could have change or appreciate it better, regretting what he did. He later wakes up to find himself in the hospital bed and everything he saw was a dream. And more than that, he turned to become a better man.
So just wana round up some comments or feedback i got from others. =)
I sent an email to my former lecturer Amanda about the story ideas and asked which she would prefer or advice to work with. So here's her feedback.
"Of all the 3 stories, I like the story from the Padang quake best. The 1st two, although meaningful are a little cliche as I've seen students try going down that Emo path for their FYPs and not do well. When you're tackling something emo, like in the poem in this case, it's a lot about bringing out the sad emotions. If not done well, will end up looking flat and emotionless and at times, aimless too.As for the Padang quake, I could see it being done in an experimental sort of way with lots of contrast to play with. His claustrophobia in the dark compared to the open space above him as the workers struggle to dig the survivors out, or that compared to his memories of a time when he enjoyed a time of joy in the open bright sunshine. etc. It's emotional, and yet already has some visuals I can imagine from. There is also somewhat a flow of a story - man calling out in the dark, we realise he's stuck, as soon as he thinks he's about to be saved from sounds he hears, they pass them by. He's about to give up and eventually gets saved. I could see you ending your story with him in the hospital - dramatic sunlight coming through the window... like a glimpse of new hope."
Other feedback that i got from friends were pretty much the same. They preferred the "chaotic" theme and thought that it had more meanings and gives a better take away compared to the "emo" theme". And just like Amanda mention, some might think that the "emo" is overly rated or common. It gives a dead feeling and nothing much to it.
And looking through it, i gave a thought and agreed that the "emo" theme story gives a constant "beeeeeeeeeeeeppp..." like a dead monitor heartbeat and could do much better with the other concept. So here point forward, im gona work on with my chosen story, and yes ask for my Lecturer Ronald's advice or takes about it. And here's what i've discussed with him and what he thought about it.
I told him on the story i chose to work on and what are some of the things im gona portray in the animation, for example, the main character going through his daily lives, being his usual ungrateful rude self, never humble to those around him. And later after the incident, he found himself walking through the "dead" city, remembering those things that he did.
Ronald's feedback:
- Work on the beginning part of the story; how the story starts out.
- I have to work on the visuals, on what i wana portray and make sure that the audience that watches it understand the things that are going on or the meaning of the visuals.
- The ending part of the story is secured.
- Work on the middle part; on what i wana portray (somewhat i think that the middle and the beginning part have to switch/change in some ways)
- The middle part where the main character saw a certain places that reminded him some memories which he wish he could change or appreciate it better; how am i going to portray the character feeling this way, visually by animation.
Some beginning examples he gave:
- At the scene of the incident (the collapse of the buildings), rescuers looking out for survivors, the whole hysteria or disastrous surrounding and the main character under the rubble.
So I'm gona start working on some storyboards and concept sketch.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Week1 Contact1 - Story Ideas
Its the start of the Final Year project 2009/2010 and we're coming out with ideas/stories and concepts to work on. After a few days, its Thursday and i finally got some rough story ideas down. There was 2. One was a "emo" theme and the other is pretty much a "chaotic" theme.
The first idea was based on an old poem that i worked on a few years back, which kind of have made an impact with a number of people, so i thought i could make an animation story out of it.
http://pris-tine.blogspot.com/2005_07_01_archive.html
There would be some narrative, voice over of the poem went it comes to an animation part where the boy sees himself as though he was in the dark tunnel.
Another story idea was inspired by a true story from a survivor of the Padang earthquakes, where he was under the rubble and all he could think of is his family and the people he cared, and also asking for forgiveness from God for the sins he did. And after he was actually ready to die, he got rescued 3hours later.
The first idea was based on an old poem that i worked on a few years back, which kind of have made an impact with a number of people, so i thought i could make an animation story out of it.
http://pris-tine.blogspot.com/2005_07_01_archive.html
There would be some narrative, voice over of the poem went it comes to an animation part where the boy sees himself as though he was in the dark tunnel.
Another story idea was inspired by a true story from a survivor of the Padang earthquakes, where he was under the rubble and all he could think of is his family and the people he cared, and also asking for forgiveness from God for the sins he did. And after he was actually ready to die, he got rescued 3hours later.
Story Ideas:
- "Emo"Theme (adapting from an old poem "The Dark Tunnel"): a boy who is going through alot of stress and pressure, from his friends, families, etc. Looking at his life like as though he is going through a dark tunnel and trying to reach the light at the end of the tunnel. At the end of it all, he push himself through all the obstacles and find himself in the light where he became a somebody.
- Chaotic Theme: An ungrateful person who was never humble, living in a life where he was someone successful but never did help the needy/poor or being ungrateful to those around him. Suddenly he was involved in a natural disaster where the building he's in, collapse. When he regained "concious", he walked through the city, to find everyone dead. As he walked through the dead city, he find some places which reminded him of some memories which he wish he could have change or appreciate it better, regretting what he did. He later wakes up to find himself in the hospital bed and everything he saw was a dream. And more than that, he turned to become a better man.
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