Study Task 5 of Animation Fundamentals

Animation 1: Animation Skills

Study Task 5: PARTS A and B - Anticipation, Exaggeration, Follow Through and Overlapping Animation

For Part A of the task I had to demonstrate anticipation and exaggeration, this was combined with Part B to produce a full mixed-media animation. I decided to try cut-out animation for Part A and compiled it together in Photoshop. The backgrounds and foreground were painted traditionally, however I think the animation could be improved with more cut-out frames for fluidity and could be improved quality-wise.

For the backgrounds, I researched the use of backgrounds in the concept art for Disney's Bambi, which uses a watercolour-like texture. I additionally referenced the duller toned The Tale Three Brothers animation, featured in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, as part of my research.

Traditional Backgrounds

 Made using acrylic paint and watercolours

Digital Backgrounds

Part B - Follow Through and Overlapping

For this part of the animation, I decided to do it entirely digital, using the digital backgrounds also. The animation incorporates follow-through and overlapping, through the ears and the run cycles, when the character leaps into frame. Once lined and coloured, I added sound effects.

During this part of the task, I added a blink animation, as Chamomile turns his head to incorporate the blink into the task. I found that from "The Animators Survival Kit", where it references using a blink, to create a snappier turn.

I think it could be improved by creating a flowing transition between the initial cut-out animation to the digital animation. The timing could also be improved in the cut-out, by including additional frames.

Professional Practise 1: The Power to Persuade

Professional Practise 1
Study Task 5: The Power to Persuade

- An Indian Ad for the OnePlus 5, using 2D Animation, with elements of cut-out, thus making the visuals appealing to watch.

- A Dairy Milk Oreo ad, produced for Dairy Milk Malaysia. Animations are by Animation Studio, Buck. Both the story-telling and the quality of the CG made me choose this for the list

- Another Dairy Milk ad, but this time from Canada, using 3D, CG Animation

- Aqua ad produced using StopMotion, by a team consisting of London Animation Studio, Mummu and Rock Hound

- A series of Pepsi ads, created by a studio in Brisbane, Australia, using CG and VFX. The Animation and Visuals are creative and the idea of creating a series from ads creates interest.

- Rightmove animation created by Trunk Animation's Layla Atkinson and illustrator Anna Kövecses following a couple on the hunt for a new home. The bright colours and 2D/Platform style along with the minor details added to the background made me choose this ad.

An advertisement for Audi, during Christmas, made using CG Animation and tackles gender stereotypes and representation within the ad to create a wider message.

- Heinz Australia produced an Pixar-like story advertisement, made using CG Animation, produced by Y&R New Zealand

- Wear The Rose, England Rugby ad was released 2015 by O2sports. The 2D Animation used in the ad is beautiful, produced by VCCP

- Apple recently released a new global Christmas Ad, featuring a young girl whom doesn't share her talents/gifts. The Animation produced and style is dynamic and unique, combining both CG and practical sets.

There were more animations for advertising than I expected, as this allowed me to realise how much Animation is used outside just entertainment. It also shows that storytelling and practise can be taken place during the process of advertising. It also allows artists and animators to continue making personal projects, whilst still earning through commissioned projects.

Context of Practise 1: New Technologies

Context of Practise 1 - New Technologies Lecture Notes

After the lecture on New Technologies, I found that I would like to focus on CGI as a technology or MotionCapture. Therefore, I will further research the two areas, when collecting initial sources on the topic. I will additionally explore the Storytelling question, to help refine my research to those areas. Within my visual journal, Ill explore my response to the findings, such as through looking at how Mo-Cap works and understand creation of texture and environments within CG animation.

Context of Practise 1: Types of Sources

Context of Practise 1 - Types of Sources

Study Task 1

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Moving Images:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-gPD00ksxQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wK1Ixr-UmM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru0tQRJ4qKs

- Use of CG to recreate Tarkin and Leia in Rogue One

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-KJGLRmt0w

- Use of CG Animation, with 3D, VFX and Motion Capture

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqc4gno0Hso

CONSTRUCT from Kevin Margo on Vimeo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TqPl3MSSow

Written Sources:

https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/real-magic-harry-potter-and-prisoner-azkaban - Article talking about the VFX used within the Prisoner of Azkaban

Furniss, M. (2016). Animation: A Global History. New York: Thames and Hudson.

https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/star-wars-behind-the-scenes-history-ilm-industrial-light-magic-making-special-effects#

https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/25-years-ago-cg-secrets-ballroom-sequence-beauty-beast-145174.html

Still Images:

Construction of worlds/morphing worlds using CG in Maya for Doctor Strange

https://www.redgiant.com/blog/2011/08/25/trapcode-kicks-it-for-kung-fu-panda-2/

Other:

After visiting the creation of Harry Potter at Warner Bros Studio Tour, London, I gathered images

and photographs of their process in creating the VFX of animals, use of green screen and CG.

INCLUSIVE STORYTELLING

inclusive

adjective

1. including all the services or items normally expected or required.

Moving Images:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guQzTr1YK40

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTM-AdrIpaE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbmpRVMyNuo

Written Sources:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/24e20f4c-5f17-45fa-9179-f8a9fdccbe9a

Furniss, M. (2016). Animation: A Global History. New York: Thames and Hudson.

https://medium.com/@Brian_G_Peters/6-rules-of-great-storytelling-as-told-by-pixar-fcc6ae225f50 - Article

https://www.writersstore.com/animation-and-the-art-of-action-based-storytelling/ - Article/Blog

Still Images:

Storyboard from Gravity Falls

Flynn Ryder Concept Expressions

Other Sources:

https://twitter.com/AaronBlaiseArt/status/1055504189814538240 - Livestream of Aaron Blaises’ Character
creation and talking about using characters for storytelling

During the research process, I found that it was more difficult to find sources which I didn't have full interest in and
struggled to include more diverse and interesting sources of information, when I initially didn't understand much
about the topics chosen. I found it was easier to source for New Technologies, than Inclusive Storytelling, despite
knowing more about storytelling concepts. I want to develop my visual journal to focus on New Technologies in
Animation and exploring use of not just CG, but also Visual Effects and Motion Capture, which I can then further
narrow my interests.

Animation 1: Animation Fundamentals - Feedback

Animation 1: Animation Skills

Formative Feedback and Improvement

Positive Feedback:

• Good pendulums
• Task 2: Turn around worked well, Storyboard dynamic
• Task 3: Bouncing ball improved greatly the second time

From both my peers and tutor, I received minor feedback to improve the work I have already done and also the work I complete in the future. I was told by both my tutor and peers to add colour and make my original storyboard more understandable. Which was the first thing I completed.

The Original

Improvements

In addition to this, I was told to make my poses more dynamic in my model sheet and also redo the solid drawing task, to make the movements of the figures less stiff, following a line of action. I improved the model sheet and was able to practise fluid movement in both model sheets.

Orions' Sheet

Chamomiles' Sheet

To improve my line-of-action studies, with the solid drawing Study Task 1, I decided to redo the poses and try to break them down more to a skeleton, then fleshed out. The one colour and full render were also redone:

Here is the PDF Link to the solid drawing redos and the spot colour drawings and full render.

Here is the PDF embedded:

Spot Colour:

Full Render:

Here is the link to the OLD version

Old PDF:

Study Task 4 of Animation Fundamentals: Arcs and Compiling Skills

Animation 1: Animation Skills

Study Task 4: Arcs and Compiling Skills

Parts C and D: Arcs and Loopdeloop Animation

For the final part of Study Task 4, I used rotoscoping to create an arc animation, of a ball pendulum. I found that with the rotoscope animation, it was difficult to trace as it was time consuming. Just referencing the video made it easier to complete quickly. I referenced the book "Animators Survival Kit" by Richard Williams, which has a detailed description of using arcs in animation, here:

The Pendulum, Video Format

In addition to this, we had to create a pendulum stop motion animation using a pencil. I think I could improve on this by adding further frames at the beginning and end to demonstrate the motion easing and slowing as it reaches the highest point, then speeds up as it arcs down. 

Part D - Loopdeloop animation

I found it was difficult to come up with an initial idea, as there had to be a shoe incorporated and I wanted to try challenging myself, by animating a human character. Within this, I utilised pose-to-pose animation, arcs, easing, squash and stretch, all compiled within this short loop.

Non-Looping Version

Coloured, with Camera Movement

Video Format

Once exported, I was able to apply and adapt the animation, adding a variety of effects to change the overall mood

I think this could be further improved by using a human reference for a throw, as the movement doesn't feel or seem natural, with the arc of the arm. Next time, I will use referencing to create a human animation.

Professional Practise 1: Let Me Entertain You! (Study Task 4)

Professional Practise 1
Study Task 4: Let Me Entertain You!

A compiled list of 12 Animations from around world and which use different media to entertain

First Bloom from Wintersweet Animation Studio on Vimeo.

A 2D Animation made in TV Paint, I thought the art style was beautiful and the story. The cinematography made for interesting and complex shots within the animation.

• Directed and animated by Tingting Liu, a Chinese female animator from Laika Studios.

CONSTRUCT from Kevin Margo on Vimeo.

A 12 Minute animated short, The "production of CONSTRUCT was to speed up the CG workflow and mirror a live-action production and took advantage of the latest advances in virtual production technology that allow filmmakers to create a feature-grade film without the budget or resources of a major studio."

• Kevin Margo's Sci-Fi film project, whom also worked on Destiny 2 VFX, Tom Clancys’: The Division, The Elder Scrolls
• Based in Blur Studios, in California

The Icebook (HD) from The McGuires on Vimeo.

A process animation, showing use of pop-up books and projection to tell and create a story. Use of mixed-media, by The McGuires, British Multimedia Artists based in Hull

The Last Film is a Student Film made entirely in a traditional 2D media. Albert Val Boix was a student at Southampton University in the UK

Crow: The Legend is an upcoming VR Animation, produced by Baobab Studios, based in California. I decided to include this in the list, despite not being completed, as it uses a storybook style, but incorporates Virtual Reality for storytelling purposes.

The Tale Teller is an animated short produced by Josiah Brooks, made in Adobe Animate and Photoshop. Josiah is a freelance animator based in Australia, who works mainly on Youtube as an artist.

This was an animation I found on Youtube when I was exploring cut-out and traditional animation. I included this in the list as it used a range of mixed media and is less conventional than previous animations presented on the list

The music video was animated traditionally and digitally, using Photoshop by Jonah Primiano, living in LA. I included this in the list to show the range of purposes Animation can be used for, such as for the music video.

Coldplays’ music video for Strawberry Swing combines 2D traditional animation with Pixilation. It was directed by Shynola, based in London

I Have Your Heart is a cut out animation, which started in New York City, before the project became more world-wide when animators from Australia worked on it also. The characters were drawn traditionally, then scanned in as moveable puppets in Photoshop, then printed on stock-card, crafted into standing sets.

TINK by Mr Kaplin from Mr. Kaplin on Vimeo.

An experimental CGI Animation made in Cinema 4D, it shows how animation can be brought to life/ experiments can be brought to life through sound.

“Soggy Flakes” is an animation I found on Skwigly, a stop-motion film, shot in Dragonframe and composited in After Effects. I chose to include this because of the exceptional character designs and puppets featured in this film. It is directed by the Affolter Brothers, made in Canada.

As an additional animated short I found, Kitbull is both moving and an aesthetically beautiful animation of a cat and dog finding friendship. It addresses issues such as cruelty to animals and misunderstanding. I love the stylistic choices used by Pixar, directed by Rosana Sullivan and Kathryn Hendrickson.

Overall, in the research process to find Animations which are made to entertain, it was quite easy as a lot of animation produced is for entertainment and storytelling. What I struggled most with is finding animations with mixed media, however with further research I found that most of them utilise this process. For example, Kitbull used a mixture of both 2D and 3D animation, as this was used in the backgrounds.  I would like to explore mixed-media in animation further in my research.