Research | Final Major Project

Ideas & Research

What I should work on from my MINI FMP

For my Mini Final major project, I felt like there were a couple of things that I need to improve on greatly, but some other things that I though just needed to be tweaked slightly. One thing I thought, in general, was the basic idea I had had for my final production video, I didn’t find it that great. It was a bit uncreative and could definitely be improved on, with the whole mix of different visual effects I had come up with didn’t really go well together when I looked back at the video, it was random and, honestly, not that intriguing. For my final project, I’ll focus more on one particular theme/style for the whole project, with my research and my idea for the final video.

Another thing was the procedure of the final practical task, I didn’t describe in well enough detail the whole process of the final production. With the other procedures I did before the final project, I didn’t have enough time to describe all the smaller details of my actions of recording the footage for the video and applying the visual effects to them in the After Effects program. Something I’ll take into account in the final major project.

In my evaluation on my blog, I already stated that for my research, there were a couple things I didn’t do right. One thing I felt was that there was a bit of repetition in my overall research, for some of the subjects, I was supposed to look into more detail in them and describe different things, but I seemed to use the same description for some of the subjects, and this continued on for most of my entire research, not really describing anything new. For my final major project, I’ll describe some of the subjects more roughly and then look into more detail later in my research, describing more about them.

Overall, I think there was a couple of things I could have done differently from my mini final major project, but most of what I did was not that bad, and I’ll take this style of working into my final major project.

What area of media interests me the most

The first thing that came to mind when I thought about what media subject, I was going to do for this project was basic 2D digital animation. It is a personal hobby I do currently at home and is currently the thing I’m most interested in, and, in the future, I want to have a career in 2D digital animation.

Another hobby I used to have, before 2D animation, was stop motion. I used to take one of my family members iPhone and some playdoh or plasticine and make mini film when I was younger. Recently I’ve moved more to the 2D style, but I still made a couple of stop motion films during collage, and I would try to avoid making a film from stop motion, but I wouldn’t mind it either.

Another idea I had was 3D CGI animation. It’s a type of style I’ve been eyeing for a while, but I’ve never actually made anything from it. Only recently when I got a taster for it in a recent media lesson where I made a test model in the program Maya, and another time where I looked at this cool, free, 3D program app called Blender, did I start to think more about the subject, but only really as another option, I’m still looking more towards the 2D, but I wouldn’t mind trying out the 3D style for this project.

One last idea I had, after completing the mini final major project and having a taster for the visual effects in After Effects, I quite liked the experience and the techniques behind making the effects, and I wouldn’t mind doing it again for the next final major project. There are a lot of other visual effects I could incorporate into a video clip and would enjoy exploring all the new ideas.

Ideas

Potential Idea 1

My first initial idea was to make a basic, short, 2D animation with real life like, full body, animation drawing. Where the story and plot of it is to do with colors and this one person who plays around with colors like a canvas in the animation and makes satisfying and visually appealing images for the audience. I think it could be possible for me to make, especially in the time period I have to make the final project, as I’ve made animation that have taken me longer than that time, so I have some experience in that part.

One example I can think of with the use of this style is this game I used play called “Gris” where you play as a 2D drawn animation character and you adventure through this land of striking colors and visuals Gris Wikipedia.

I also looked up some basic tutorials of YouTube for full body animations to understand how this particular style works, YouTube Tutorial, I also looked at one that gave me a description on how long the whole procedure took, YouTube Tutorial 2.

Potential Idea 2

Another idea I had is a lot similar to the one above, it’s the same theme and concept, but this time with 3D generated characters and backgrounds instead. The plot of the animation and the style of it would refer strongly to the style of the 3D programs tools and objects, like in the Maya program how it presents all the shapes and for you to work with. So, for the characters in the animation, I’ll make a type of robot or anything else that resembles strong symmetry, and sort of base the story around that.

I also looked up some more tutorials for this as I don’t entirely know much about the basic schematics of the Blender program and how to use it. The basics of the program Tutorial 1, how to make full body characters Tutorial 2, how to make an animation Tutorial 3, Tutorial 4.

Potential Idea 3

The last idea I had is resolved around another one of the styles of media I chose above, with the use of stop motion animation, I would make another plain video clip, this time with the use of plasticine, I’ll make movements with the putty as if they were liquids or like slugs, all resolving around the theme of looking appealing to the viewer for the most satisfaction.

Most of the inspiration I took for this idea was from these short video clips on YouTube and from the normal “Morph” animation videos. Video 1, Video 2, Video 3, Video clips from the Morph shows, Video 1, Video 2.

Overall, my main intention for my final project production will be a video that, in any way, is visually appealing to the audience, something that they look at to enjoy the basic look of the video rather than focus on the plot or narrative of the video’s story.

Contingency Plan

As all of these project ideas are basically projects that require me to work at home and on a laptop or in a studio, I don’t really think a contingency plan is necessary. If there is another lock down, I don’t think I will be that much effected by it. Personally, I prefer staying in my house hold for any task or project that needs to be completed, so it won’t affect me in any other way, mentally or physically, so either way, the ideas I have at the moment are the best in any case scenario.

Further Ideas Research

Idea 1

As said above, the main theme I want for my possible 2D animation is to make an video that just looks and feels great and enjoyable, with explosions of lots of different colors (like a canvas) and it all has a type of flow to it, like rushing water. This sort of style is seen in many different genres of animation, like Anime and stop motion animation, one example I can think of is from this one animator on YouTube (who also makes tutorial videos for animation) who’s work has this same kind of flowing style.

Video Tutorial he made His show reel

The program I was planning to use for this project would of course be the more advanced Adobe programs, as opposed to the regular, free software I’ve been using for my past animations, a program called Krita.

Adobe Flash Krita

Idea 2

For my second idea, I plan it to have a similar concept to my first idea, something that looks good, but this time in 3D animation form. So, my initial plan is to create a 3D character and in the video, with its multiple different shapes and symmetry, move and shift mechanically like a transformer or some sort of creature that looks like it made up of multiple shapes and objects and moves that same sort of way. And then just make a short plot video around this character, like in a junk yard or something and how it lives its life.

Example I found on YouTube Tutorial on YouTube on how to make a

Transformer Model and animate it

As shown in the tutorial video above, the program I’ll use for this animation will be Blender, a free 3D modeling and animation software which is really similar to the Maya software. I’m using this program because its free to use and it has a lot of really good features.

Idea 3

For my last idea, again following the theme of the previous two ideas, I planned to make a short stop motion film, featuring a basic type of character design, where he/she does some weird and funny actions throughout the film. Like, he/she morphs into fluid and wild shapes and these actions will contribute in some way the plot of the story, but the main theme and focus of the video is that it’s made to look visually appealing to the audience, with the movements of the clay looking sluggish moldable, like the movements in the animation videos shown above, “Morph” and this one stop motion animator on YouTube, “mamshmam”.

As said above, the style of and look of the character for this animation will be simple like the models in the animations shown above. With no advanced detailed clothing, like in the stop motion animations “Wallace and Gromit”, and “Missing Link”

The set up for my studio would be pretty simple, I would also need to make a studio for the animation part of the whole procedure. I found these three video tutorials online that gave me some good insight on how to set up a make shift studio and the essentials for shooting the animation, the stand and lighting.

Tutorial 1 Tutorial 2

Tutorial 3

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Initial FMP Research

For my initial research, I didn't really know where to start, so I decided to find a basic aniamtion tutorial on youtube on how to make an my animation flow better, so I could implement flow into the abstract motions of my animation. I started with this one video as it was from the one youtube animator I used for examples for my previous research work. I'm going to use this animator as a constant reference for my entire initial research and pre production as i like the tutorials he makes and most of them are useful for this project.

I scanned through the video, as i realised the topic he was covering in it wasn't quite what I was looking for. I stopped at certain points that I found promising, but overall, I didn't find it that useful.

Times In the Tutorial I found Useful

7:33/9:04/18:02

First Test Animation

After the first initial research, I started to make a small test animation based on the flowing type of animation genre that I want to incorporate for my final animation. I planned to make a full body animation fro which the character does this cool acrobatic move and then also has this fluent looking energy trial following his movements in the attempted satisfying that I'm trying to make.

I wanted to make this animation based solely on my own animation experience, so afterwards I can make an assessment on what I need to improve on to get the result I was looking for for my final result.

For this animation, I used my old animation program I used for my previous animation work, as it doesn't really need to be professionally made, so I'll also make most of my tests from this program before using the higher quality one for the final product (and other test if needed.

After I finished the animation, I found some things that was proud of and a lot of other things that could be improved on for the next animation: one generic thing to state out, was that the basic visual entertainment of the animation was low quality and wasn't that entertaining to watch, at least not to the level I was looking, it could be a lot more over exaggerated and exciting in a way, which is something I have to improve on for the animation, to just over exaggerate the animation more.

Another thing I noted was that the general view of the video was bland and not the exiting, as in the camera angle of the animation was too 2D, it could have more movement to it, like more of a 3D style, which is another thing I'll improve on and incorporate in my next test. For all these skill, I'll some more research on the internet and watch specific tutorials on the subject.

Colour Theory Research

From the feedback i got from my teacher on my final proposal, he suggested to do more research and have some better insight into colour theory and shapes and how i plan to implement it all into my final animation film.

I did a basic search on the internet for color theory and came across a couple of sights that i thought would have been useful to take information from.

After looking through the various sights, i came to the conclusion that they weren't that useful to me as they pretty much covered all the initial plans and ideas i had had for my final film. I already figured what kind of colours would invoke the certain emotions i was looking to amit for the viewers and where they would be placed, so, as i stated above, the information on the sites i found weren't that useful to me, none of them.

Site 1 - Site 2 - Site 3

I plan to use a all the possible colours there are in the final film (if not all of them), all there to simulate the different emotions and feelings that will be presented in the film to the viewers.

Practically all the basic bright colours will be based around the main character to display all his joy and happiness through the patterns that will resonate from him during the film. With basically the theme of all the colours being together acting as his display of his positive attitude, like the rainbow and how its represents the same quality.

And then the colours of the opposing protagonist will simply be the darker colours on the spectrum. Black, of course being the main theme and also other implemented colours to increase its quality. Colours such as a dark or bright red, which is also associated with death and fear as well as the opposite, and maybe a deep purple, acting as a darker theme alongside the black.

I made these quick designs on photoshop to present as an example of the types of the moods that the colours would display in the film as a whole. As said above, all the basic colours except black in the film will, solely represent the joy and happiness of the protagonist as displayed below, but each of the colours and patterns will represent different forms of joy around the main character: such as excitement, enthusiasm, an adrenaline rush, playfulness etc.

These two particular pictures are made to display these types of emotions.

Such as playfulness, and mischievousness, with the bird animal meant to play around the main character. With the combination of red yellow to symbolise the slightly more naughty side of his emotions, as displayed by the bird.

This pic is meant to display the main character wave surfing in a way and the exhilaration of it for the character. With the blue colours meaning to symbolise water, as well as the circular objects surrounding the screen, meant to signify droplets in a way.

This design displays what I intend the for the main structure of antagonist for this short film, as a small example. As described in the final proposal, the main idea for the antagonist is that its not a solid character like the protagonist. Its meant to be a sort of sludge monster with very specific features as displayed. Its features are designed to be the exact opposite of the protagonists patterns that appear: like the spines, sludgy metabolism, large ominous scary eyes (to increase the horror aspect of this character), and another feature I came to like as I was drawing this picture, a dripping effect around the creature with gooey and cobweb like properties. I think it adds to the horror aesthetic to it.

The main colour of it all is black to, again, make it more horror themed, as well as the red, but the black is meant to be made more dominant. In my personal opinion, there's too much red incorporated in the design and should be lessened, to increase the dark feeling that the design gives off, the red makes it seem to casual to me, its meant to be made to be serious.

Second Test Animation

After I finished the first test animation, and made an easement as to what went well and what I could improve on for next time, I went onto making a second test animation. For this test, by taking into consideration what I needed to do better for next time, I decided to make an animation that was more fast pace in a way, so my plan was to have the scene play out by sort of following a fast moving object through the pure air and have it do a bunch of satisfying movements, patterns and styles throughout the test, again, taking advice from my evaluation for the previous animation, planning on making the visuals a lot more exciting and explosive in a way.

Before I started making the initial animation, I made a quick story board of the events that would take place during it, as I had brain stormed a lot of ideas before hand and I felt the need to get them all down on paper to make sure I didn't forget them, and to have a clear idea of how it should all play out.

My plan was to have a sort of continuation from the first test, from when the full body character throws that ball of energy into the sky. This was more of an after thought and I didn't plan for it to have any important value to the theme of this test, it just seemed fitting to me that it would play out like this. Also, it gave a good opportunity for one particular scene at the beginning of the test that I wanted to incorporate, with the making a short, fast pace but vibrant scene that I most likely import in many sections in the final film, where a fast moving object streaks across in front of the camera, making a visual appealing scenery.

Other parts in the story board that I find most important to the production of this second test include a bird animal animation sequence where I'll attempt to animate the full motion of a bird and its movements, to get the feel for an animal animation which I will defiantly use in the final film.

Another is towards the last section of the animation where there will be a sort of firework explosion which I plan to have a variety of different colours and patterns, which will match the main styles and themes I plan to use in the final film.

I found that there were certain things I liked about this test animation, certain things more than others, and aspects about it that I really needed to work on from before the final animation.

The thing is liked about this test animation were actually some of the scenes in the animation itself, I liked how some of them turned out, like the bird animation to begin with. In my personal opinion, I think I did well in animating the full body of a bird creature, with having no experience before in animating full body animals in my hobby of an animator, and having done no research at looking at examples of a birds motion, it all didn't turn out that bad in that aspect. One thing that could have maybe made it better was actually doing some research and looking at examples to get a better idea it before animating, could have made the quality of it all more interesting and also pleasing to look at for the viewers. There could be a more 3D aspect of that scene where the bird character could fly further in the screen and get smaller, and the motion of this action for the bird could match this movement, with it tilting its wings as it glides and then comes back towards the screen, all with an organic looking motion about it as it plays out.

Another thing I really liked about this test was the ending scene with the firework explosion and its display.

I find this part to be the best looking scene in the whole test animation, with its general fluent movement and its display of bright colours, shapes and patterns, all of which is the kind of style of animation and theme I'm aiming to incorporate for my final animation film. Its just so satisfying to look at as it plays out, and looking back at the rest of this test animation, I'm disappointed that it doesn't look as aesthetically pleasing as this part plays out, and I plan to make sure that for the scenes of my final film will look as satisfying as this scene does. One thing I have to point out about it thought, as it looks satisfying with all the different types of media incorporated with the colours and patterns, to me, I looks like a piece of abstract art thats come to life, but to me, it also looks a bit childish for the same reasons, and I'm not sure how to alter this. I think one of the main reasons it that there are too many different colours added into, and instead, next time, I should implement only a certain amount of various colours, which should make it look less childish in my opinion. Also I should use more complicated shapes and patterns, instead of basic circles and triangles, or at least make those particular shapes more interesting, for example, by keeping the original structure of the shape but adding more detail inside the shapes themselves.

One of the things that wasn't quite great about the animation and could be improved on, was the general pacing of the animation. As I stated in my evaluation for the first test above, the pacing of the animation and the way the certain scenes in it are placed at certain times doesn't have a good flow to it all in my opinion, there are just some certain part in this test in between the most important sections like the bird animation and he firework, that I find don't contribute to the animation at all, it becomes boring and annoying to look and also a bit confusing.

Scenes like a the beginning when the energy ball flies through the air. It doesn't make any sense and, in honesty, doesn't look that satisfying or as appealing as I hopped it would be. The same goes for the other specific scenes throughout the test, in between the sections where the cooler and better sections of the animation play out: like the bird animation, the spiral section, the first explosion part where the energy ball slits into multiple different streaks and then flies together and twists around each other in another spiral formation, and of coarse, the last part with the firework display.

Another thing to consider is the time at which this animation took to make. It really took too much time for my liking and I think I could do it a shorter time period. This could be done by focusing on the production of the animation for all my periods at collage and at my household will make it faster.

And I also think it will make it faster with the Adobe Animate program I plan to use for making the film. With its particular features that will help me animate a certain scene without having to animate each individual frame, as I did for this test animation.

For my final conclusion, some of the parts for tis test I found turned out good, primarily, with the firework display. That sort of style of animation is what I want the entirety of the final animation film to look like.

And what I need to improve on is the general time frame of an animation. By focusing more on the most important parts of the animation and having a clear idea of all the scenes that will play out in the film, so it all adds up and has a satisfying feel to it when the viewers watch it.