Scene Test

These two photographs were taken at animation studio. I gave them a warm tone.

Last 5 pictures: 

Each parts(clouds, waves, boats...) were scanned first. Then these 5 pictures were created in Photoshop.

Animatic 3

Action Points:

1. More variety in the framing

2. Simplify animation

3. New ending

YOTORI -- Yves Geleyn

Yves Geleyn's YOTORI from Passion Pictures. Click here to watch the whole film.

I love the style of this short film. What I am trying is to do is to test different materials to give my work a different and nice looking.

Reference: Waves Animation

An amazing example shows how to animate waves.

Style Test

I did a quick drawing test by Photoshop. But I am not very happy with the result. I'll try other textures to do more experiment. 

I painted the background by acrylic colours. The characters are made by cloth and sewing.

Storyboard 3

It's time to start animating, test timing. Also I plan to do some quick style tests to see what the animation will look like.

Animatic 2

After I refined storyboard, I made this animatic to check the timing and story.

While the story is still too complicated. Neil suggested me do not waste any of the animation. The beginning should be simple and clear. Besides, this short film is for children. Those violent scenes should be removed.

What should I do next...

1. refine the story again and again

2. think about the characters' facial, e.g. eyes, mouth...

3. test the style of this animation

Animatic 1

I did this animatic last week. After the tutorial, Neil suggested me there should have a "motive" at the beginning. Why is he leaving? The animation should be focused on the things happen during the journey. The journey is the exciting part. The beginning is less important. It's better to be simple and clear. The important work to do next is to exaggerate the actions more. I need to think about more about the story and developing my narrative.

Script (text and image)

I try to make the story not that boring. Maybe more dramatic things could happen when they decided to go together. I draw this rough sketch to make a plan to see what interesting or terrible things will happen during their journey on the sea.

Toon Town Anniversaries from "Animation Magazine"

Great animations in these 100 years.

Storyboard 2

This is my second storyboard.  And I am thinking about change my previous aim. I am going to produce a traditional animation to explore the relationship between 2 people. They maybe a couple lived in forest. What would happen when one of them decided to leave the forest to see the outside world.

I will design the character later. Give them more details. Each of them should have it own personality.

So far, I feel the story is kinda little boring. More work need to be done.

Reference: Father and Daughter

Last Thursday was my first time to join in the life-drawing class and draw by charcoal. It's an amazing class/experience. Though I didn't draw well, the texture and tone of the painting is really nice. It reminded me a great short film -- "Father and Daughter"

I am thinking to renew my aim. I plan to do a 2D animation which can touch people's deep feeling.

Anyway I love this animation. I love the story (its kind a little sad, a little warm...), the style, the character ( simple but really remarkable).

Rough Storyboard 1

This is a story about a couple living in the forest. One day, the man planned to leave the forest to see the outside world. If the audience want to know what will happen to them, they need to click the buttons inserted in the animation. In other words, audiences have to involve in the animation to see what will happen in the story.

And I am thinking audiences can act as a part of the animation.

Drop - by Osamu Tezuka

This short film is directed by one of the most famous Japanese animator Osamu Tezuka in 1965. 

Simple character and story,but very nice storytelling, script.

Reference: The Polyphonic Spree - The Quest For the Rest

http://hollywoodrecords.go.com/polyphonicspree/questfortherest/

This is a good example showing what I try to achieve.

Aim and Learning Outcomes

Aim

I aim to explore the realm of interactive narratives within animation. I hope audience not only enjoy watching the animation in front of the television, but also involve in it.  What I mean is I hope audiences can act as a part of the animation. To achieve this I need to have a comprehensive understanding of new media. I see this is a good chance to learn new skills to create typical animations.

Learning Outcomes

1. To improve computer skills (software: flash...).

2. To research the areas of interactive narratives currently being used.

3. Continue to improve the skills of stop motion.

4. Being able to create aesthetic scenes of animation.

5. To explore the soundtrack for animation.