2D Attempt vs Finished Animation

Barry Was An Average Guy

Designing Sets

With the very specific influences of Tim Burton and Seth Macfarlane firmly in mind, we went to work creating the sets for use in our claymation production. Both Liam and I  had a crack at creating different parts of the set. I decided to scour the internets for something fitting while Liam went to work in planning his illustrated backdrop. After a brief search, I found something suitable, and after a quick photoshop session, I printed of the images, attached them to the cardboard backdrop and called it a day. Within the coming week, Liam would manage to complete his rather lovely backdrop and the majority of the work was complete. Maybe, it would have been a bit better if we both shared a little more communication, as our backdrops didn't really combine all that well. In all honesty, I don't really like the guy all that much so maybe the lack of communication was more an issue on my end; only joking, I like him really. I don't.
Liam put a bit more work in creating some simple cardboard structures, then proceeded to steal some of the other sets that littered one of the smaller rooms. Sets done!
Happy Faces.

Other Stuff Worth Mentioning

This is a short list of "Tutor Pleasing" items to evidence just exactly what I've been doing this whole time. I hope this helps.

Planning


1. I helped in brainstorming ideas for the original concept; including, among others the ideas that would go on to become our finished product.

2.  Again, I brainstormed ideas and concepts for a 2D animation.

3.  I created the company logo, aided in creating and producing a client pitch as well as a proposal.

4. I designed a storyboard, outlining the concepts and narrative of a 2D animation.

5. I attended various pre-production meetings, recording all changes and ideas in the planning phase of production.

6. I aided all research into theme and background including mood boards and target audience. Creating questionnaires, in order to better understand who we are aiming to reach and how to best tackle the issue in response to this.

Production 


1. Created a part of the set that would be used in the final production.

2. After many failed attempts, I created an entire promotional 2D animation from scratch, using After effects.

3. Aided in the animation of our claymation, both in the moving moving of characters and capturing frames in istopmotion.

4.Assisted in capturing voice over material.

Post


1. Edited all footage in final cut, combining the footage with the voice over, as well as music.

2. Imported the footage into After Effects, in order to colour correct and create a more professional feel.

Still Alive

So that's it. All done, the final edit is now complete and it's time to fill this blog to the rafters with arbitrary information to describe just exactly how I've come to the end of this winding, stress filled road.
This should be fun.
For now; I'll start with the editing phase as it was the most recent task and the freshest of my memories.
We started editing yesterday and finished before the sun disappeared (a personal best).
Among all of the various pursuits contained within this unit; editing proved to be the most enjoyable. It was my final chance to put a fingerprint on the work and really make it my own.  Throughout the course, I've done a fair bit of editing both on the college grounds and in my own time. I think it's fair to say that I've gained a certain competence in the field, innit. With that said, editing was relatively easy, partly due to experience, but more in part, thanks to our efforts in capturing many shots and angles. The raw footage itself, was pretty solid. This meant that editing was just a case of slowing and piecing parts together to maintain a logical, running thread of continuity. A change in saturation to hint at a lightning strike and clever use of music made great additions but overall nothing was overly complicated or fancy.
                   After finishing with Final Cut, I imported the footage into After Effects for some final tweaks. This would be the first time I would incorporate the software into a college production. A bit of colour correction was all that was needed and in all honesty, it didn't make a massive difference. When all was complete, I showed the rest of the group and they seemed happy enough  to proclaim the project complete and that was that.

And so it begins

Well here we are; the first day of actual, premium, unbridled, unkempt, full fat animation. My god it's been a thrilling day. Continually tapping the space bar like some kind of space monkey, while those around me become increasingly hostile and aggressive has just been beautiful. We shot the same scene in an array of different positions and angles, as our little clay man crept across the cardboard at speeds comparable to a disabled slug. Tap tap tap went the keyboard as the hours seemed to vanish into the ether,  joy, happiness and life also casualties of this most tedious process. It's not all cumulonimbus clouds however; the sets held there own, the after mentioned clay man performed admirably and the footage we captured was to a consistent standard. Good times! 
Tomorrow we plan to put ourselves through the arduous task yet again. Will we make it through another day? Who knows. If the worst should happen, let it be known that I love my family and regret nothing.