Actions
I spent some time sorting out the storyboard and mounting it on foamboard. I also planned the layout of my exhibition.
Thoughts
It is good to have everything ready for the exhibition as it makes me feel like the project is actually almost complete. The blog has been extremely useful throughout the project and I am extremely glad I decided to use it as a means of recording my progress.
As I mentioned previously, it is frustrating that I have been unable to upload any of my animation videos. I discovered earlier today that the problem lies with the way in which Flash and FinalCutPro save the .mov's. The websites are unable to process the files and as such the video is not watchable. Now that I have discovered this, I will try to convert the videos to a different file type after the project is finished and see if I can get them uploaded just so that this blog can be complete, even if it is not in time for the exhibition and marking.
Future Plans
I need to write the final evaluation for this project.
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Tuesday 1st June
Actions
I recorded the narrative on an mp3 recorder and then imported it in to FinalCut Pro and added it to the animation
Thoughts
I decided not to write an exact script to follow for the narrative as I do not find it as easy to flow when speaking in such a restricted way. Instead I played the animation and worked out a rough script in my head that fit the timings. I then recorded this multiple times and selected the best sections from each of the recordings to use.
Future Plans
I need to plan the exhibition and update the blog.
I recorded the narrative on an mp3 recorder and then imported it in to FinalCut Pro and added it to the animation
Thoughts
I decided not to write an exact script to follow for the narrative as I do not find it as easy to flow when speaking in such a restricted way. Instead I played the animation and worked out a rough script in my head that fit the timings. I then recorded this multiple times and selected the best sections from each of the recordings to use.
Future Plans
I need to plan the exhibition and update the blog.
Monday 31st May
Actions
I updated the blog once more.
Thoughts
The blog has been a very useful aid throughout this project to ensure everything is recorded regularly and analysed as I work.
Future Plans
I need to record the narrative and add it to the animation
I updated the blog once more.
Thoughts
The blog has been a very useful aid throughout this project to ensure everything is recorded regularly and analysed as I work.
Future Plans
I need to record the narrative and add it to the animation
Monday, 31 May 2010
Friday 28th May
Actions
I combined all the animations on FinalCut Pro and then had to extend the length of all the animation sequences on Flash so that I could insert transitions properly. In the afternoon I printed A3 copies of the storyboard for the exhibition.
Thoughts
The first attempt at combining all the animations was frustrating as I could not work out how to use the transitions. After a discussion with Oli for guidance we established that my animations needed a second or so with no movement that could be used for the transitions. This solved the problem and allowed a 5 frame transition between each sequence to soften the change. Before they were added the changes were too sudden and it was a bit confusing to work out what was actually happening.
Future Plans
I need to record the narrative for the animation and add it on FinalCut Pro.
I combined all the animations on FinalCut Pro and then had to extend the length of all the animation sequences on Flash so that I could insert transitions properly. In the afternoon I printed A3 copies of the storyboard for the exhibition.
Thoughts
The first attempt at combining all the animations was frustrating as I could not work out how to use the transitions. After a discussion with Oli for guidance we established that my animations needed a second or so with no movement that could be used for the transitions. This solved the problem and allowed a 5 frame transition between each sequence to soften the change. Before they were added the changes were too sudden and it was a bit confusing to work out what was actually happening.
Future Plans
I need to record the narrative for the animation and add it on FinalCut Pro.
Thursday 27th May
Actions
I finished the catalogue page on InDesign during digital. I then finished rotoskoping the swan flapping its wings and added the backgrounds to it. With that done, I added a mouse to the pounce scene and then added backgrounds to the couple of animations that did not have any yet. I then created an InDesign document of my storyboard for the exhibition and finally, I updated my blog.
Thoughts
The catalogue page is a nice way to combine a short summary of what the project is about with an image of what was the final outcome.
I am very pleased with the result of the swan rotoskope. I feel that it is the strongest piece of animation that I have done throughout the project. This is most likely because the video used was a very clear image and the swan was a very distinct and different colour to the water behind it, making it easy to distinguish where the outline should be drawn.
I feel that the digital storyboard will be far more appropriate for the exhibition than the watercolour storyboard for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it is far neater than the watercolour storyboard as the paper is not warped by water and so can be far more easily mounted on foamboard. Also, it shows the style of the animation more accurately as it is screenshots. Finally, it is laid out more apppropriately for the size of the boards.
The blog has still been very useful for analysis and evaluation throughout the entire project.
Future Plans
I need to combine the animations on FinalCut Pro and print off the storyboard. Finally, I need to record a narrative and add that to the animation.
I finished the catalogue page on InDesign during digital. I then finished rotoskoping the swan flapping its wings and added the backgrounds to it. With that done, I added a mouse to the pounce scene and then added backgrounds to the couple of animations that did not have any yet. I then created an InDesign document of my storyboard for the exhibition and finally, I updated my blog.
Thoughts
The catalogue page is a nice way to combine a short summary of what the project is about with an image of what was the final outcome.
I am very pleased with the result of the swan rotoskope. I feel that it is the strongest piece of animation that I have done throughout the project. This is most likely because the video used was a very clear image and the swan was a very distinct and different colour to the water behind it, making it easy to distinguish where the outline should be drawn.
I feel that the digital storyboard will be far more appropriate for the exhibition than the watercolour storyboard for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it is far neater than the watercolour storyboard as the paper is not warped by water and so can be far more easily mounted on foamboard. Also, it shows the style of the animation more accurately as it is screenshots. Finally, it is laid out more apppropriately for the size of the boards.
The blog has still been very useful for analysis and evaluation throughout the entire project.
Future Plans
I need to combine the animations on FinalCut Pro and print off the storyboard. Finally, I need to record a narrative and add that to the animation.
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Wednesday 26th May
Actions
I combined all the sections of the completed animation on FinalCut Pro. I then began rotoskoping the swan flapping its wings as well as creating two short scenes of the cat and the man for the introduction.
Thoughts
Since I still have a few days left before I need the animation to be finished, I have decided to rotoskope the swan flapping its wings as I feel this would add a bit of movement to the swan's character, as currently it is a static image.
The two short introductory sequences use static images of the characters, but set the scene very nicely for the rest of the animation.
Future Plans
I need to finish animating/rotoskoping so that everything can be combined properly in to the final animation. I also need to finish adding backgrounds and middle/foregrounds to the new rotoskopes. Finally, I need to finish the catalogue page and design the storyboard for the exhibition.
I combined all the sections of the completed animation on FinalCut Pro. I then began rotoskoping the swan flapping its wings as well as creating two short scenes of the cat and the man for the introduction.
Thoughts
Since I still have a few days left before I need the animation to be finished, I have decided to rotoskope the swan flapping its wings as I feel this would add a bit of movement to the swan's character, as currently it is a static image.
The two short introductory sequences use static images of the characters, but set the scene very nicely for the rest of the animation.
Future Plans
I need to finish animating/rotoskoping so that everything can be combined properly in to the final animation. I also need to finish adding backgrounds and middle/foregrounds to the new rotoskopes. Finally, I need to finish the catalogue page and design the storyboard for the exhibition.
Tuesday 25th May
Actions
I completed adding the backgrounds to all of the rotoskopes I have done so far. I also created the middle/foreground layer on photoshop and added that to the animations. I then used shape tweens in the two rotoskopes where the cat changes into a woman and vice versa.
Thoughts
It is very satisfying to see all the animations I have done so far with backgrounds on them. It makes them look far more complete and rounded off. The style of the watercolour backgrounds blends far better with the silhouettes once I changed the colours slightly. When animating to begin with I chose bright colours that were very different from each other so that I could tell the difference between the silhouettes. However, those colours clashed when placed on top of the backgrounds. I chose darker, less bright, tones and these sat far more naturally on the paler watercolours.
The shape tweening had a few issues to get around before I could get the shape morph to work properly. I had to draw several in between steps before Flash was able to create tweens that looked as I wanted them to. However, now they are complete I am very pleased with the final result. It is much faster than trying to draw each frame of the change by hand and looks far smoother than anything I could have created in the same amount of time.
Future Plans
I need to finish animating so that everything can be combined in to a single animation. I also need to design the storyboard for my exhibition and finish the catalogue page.
I completed adding the backgrounds to all of the rotoskopes I have done so far. I also created the middle/foreground layer on photoshop and added that to the animations. I then used shape tweens in the two rotoskopes where the cat changes into a woman and vice versa.
Thoughts
It is very satisfying to see all the animations I have done so far with backgrounds on them. It makes them look far more complete and rounded off. The style of the watercolour backgrounds blends far better with the silhouettes once I changed the colours slightly. When animating to begin with I chose bright colours that were very different from each other so that I could tell the difference between the silhouettes. However, those colours clashed when placed on top of the backgrounds. I chose darker, less bright, tones and these sat far more naturally on the paler watercolours.
The shape tweening had a few issues to get around before I could get the shape morph to work properly. I had to draw several in between steps before Flash was able to create tweens that looked as I wanted them to. However, now they are complete I am very pleased with the final result. It is much faster than trying to draw each frame of the change by hand and looks far smoother than anything I could have created in the same amount of time.
Future Plans
I need to finish animating so that everything can be combined in to a single animation. I also need to design the storyboard for my exhibition and finish the catalogue page.
Monday 24th May
Actions
I updated the blog to get it caught up with my note diary.
Thoughts
The blog is proving to be far more useful now that I am animating as I can watch the videos in front of me and then post an analysis straight away. It is a far easier platform than my sketchbook where I can only really look at screenshots.
Future Plans
I need to add backgrounds to all the animations created so far as well as create the middle/foreground layer for all the animations. I also need to finish any in between animation sections and then combine them all into a final animation. Finally, I need to design a storyboard for the exhibition and finish my catalogue page.
I updated the blog to get it caught up with my note diary.
Thoughts
The blog is proving to be far more useful now that I am animating as I can watch the videos in front of me and then post an analysis straight away. It is a far easier platform than my sketchbook where I can only really look at screenshots.
Future Plans
I need to add backgrounds to all the animations created so far as well as create the middle/foreground layer for all the animations. I also need to finish any in between animation sections and then combine them all into a final animation. Finally, I need to design a storyboard for the exhibition and finish my catalogue page.
Monday, 24 May 2010
Friday 21st May
Actions
Today I finished rotoskoping the cat. I then scanned in the backgrounds, combined them on Photoshop and began adding them to the animations.
Thoughts
I am pleased to have completed the large majority of the rotoskoping required for this project. This allows me to focus on getting the final animation to come together as I want it to. Scanning in the backgrounds required scanning them in parts and then recombining them on Photoshop. I then saved them as .jpgs and to add them in to Flash.
Due to the rotoskoping and the way I moved the camera when I filmed, the background needs to move with the silhouettes. This meant moving the foreground objects in every frame the same amount as the silhouettes move. However, the animations now look slightly odd as the background does not move at all. The solution to this is to create a middle/foreground layer that can also be added and moved with the silhouettes.
Future Plans
I need to add backgrounds to all the animations. I also need to create a middle/foreground. I need to finish animating the rest of the scenes and then combine it all together.
Today I finished rotoskoping the cat. I then scanned in the backgrounds, combined them on Photoshop and began adding them to the animations.
Thoughts
I am pleased to have completed the large majority of the rotoskoping required for this project. This allows me to focus on getting the final animation to come together as I want it to. Scanning in the backgrounds required scanning them in parts and then recombining them on Photoshop. I then saved them as .jpgs and to add them in to Flash.
Due to the rotoskoping and the way I moved the camera when I filmed, the background needs to move with the silhouettes. This meant moving the foreground objects in every frame the same amount as the silhouettes move. However, the animations now look slightly odd as the background does not move at all. The solution to this is to create a middle/foreground layer that can also be added and moved with the silhouettes.
Future Plans
I need to add backgrounds to all the animations. I also need to create a middle/foreground. I need to finish animating the rest of the scenes and then combine it all together.
Thursday 20th May
Actions
I seperated out the sections of Homeward Bound that I wanted to use in FinalCut Pro. With these clips I could then begin rotoskoping once more. We also had a study skills session in which we looked at what was needed in our final evaluation essays. During digital I updated my blog again.
Thoughts
Although the clips from Homeward Bound are not perfect, they are high quality videos which are very clear. This means that even when things are a similar colour, it is much easier to tell them apart.
The study skills session was, again, very useful. Previously I was not entirely sure exactly what is required for the final evaluation but I now have a much clearer idea of what I need to write. I am still finding the blog to be very productive in sorting through my work and analysing what has been done. However, disappointingly I have not been able to get any of my animations to upload alongside my posts as the upload always fails.
Future Plans
I need to continue animating and rotoskoping as well as scan in the watercolour backgrounds .
I seperated out the sections of Homeward Bound that I wanted to use in FinalCut Pro. With these clips I could then begin rotoskoping once more. We also had a study skills session in which we looked at what was needed in our final evaluation essays. During digital I updated my blog again.
Thoughts
Although the clips from Homeward Bound are not perfect, they are high quality videos which are very clear. This means that even when things are a similar colour, it is much easier to tell them apart.
The study skills session was, again, very useful. Previously I was not entirely sure exactly what is required for the final evaluation but I now have a much clearer idea of what I need to write. I am still finding the blog to be very productive in sorting through my work and analysing what has been done. However, disappointingly I have not been able to get any of my animations to upload alongside my posts as the upload always fails.
Future Plans
I need to continue animating and rotoskoping as well as scan in the watercolour backgrounds .
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