Stick Puppet Test #01

Well, here you go! As promised, here is the first of several animation tests that we have made to contribute towards our stop-motion final project. We managed to set up the backdrop and props yesterday afternoon during our stop-motion tutorial session, and we cracked on with some heavy duty animation tests! This was filmed on Ross’ camera and tripod, which he generously let us use for the first half of the tests. This particular sequence was created just so that we could each get our bearings and discuss how we were going to animate the characters.

One vital factor that popped up, was the balance and successful positioning of the stick itself on the figure. The first time round, we had the stick connected to the princess on its side, so that it was sticking out to the left of the set.  This proved a nuisance, as the stick kept bouncing as we tried to position the figure for each frame. With the wolf, seeing as it was already positioned on the floor, did not have this problem. To rectify the situation with the princess, we decided to position the stick so that it was pointing downwards (the stick going out of frame at the top).

I’ve included two alternate frame rates of the same animation in this video, so that you can see the movement a bit clearer. We are still trying to get the hang of creating fluent animation without it being far too fast to visually comprehend. The lighting isn’t fantastic on this video, but do not despair: We will be having a tutorial with a professional production light technician. As far as first attempts go, this one went well – without any hiccups in the process what-so-ever!

“Princess PMS” Animatic (Revised)

We had to create a massive overhall with the narrative for this stop-motion project. Our original idea, as fantastic and utterly wonderful as we each felt it was, was far too elaborate for us to realistically complete within the deadlines set by our tutors. So, with this all taken into account, we collectively came up with a similar idea (the same characters – for the most part – and layout) but one which was much more achievable.

It was actually our group project leader, Alex (http://mrteaandcreamcrumpets.wordpress.com/), who came up with the idea of changing the style slightly, and have us attempt something relatively rare in the field of animation. We all thought it would be fun to spice things up a bit with the style! He suggested, after watching a few sparce examples himself, that we animate our stop-motion piece in the style of “Stick Puppet Theatre”. This very old style of puppet based entertainment has been rarely used within the realms of stop-motion (there are a few flash animations that replicate it).

It was my designated role in our group project, to draw up the storyboards (as well as helping with the physical animating later on) and create the animatics. I find this an enjoyable task, in all fairness. I don’t actually think that I have ever been asked to draw up so many drafts of storyboards for a single project! Nevertheless, it’s something which helps me build up my portfolio.

In this version of events featuring our familiar characters, we see our bitchy princess once again causing an unnecessary amount of misery and woe to those around her. Mister Big Bad-Wolf is trying his hardest to profess his undying love to the princess, trying to cheer her up as he does so. Still desperately craving cigarettes and chocolate in order to satiate her uncontrollable anger, she takes out her rubbish mood on the love-struck fool.

Despite her rejections, harsh and unbearable as they may be, Mister Big Bad-Wolf endeavours to win her affections and one day marry her. What a trooper! I’m thinking we should call the potential series “Puppy Love”. Haha!

Stop-Motion Set Design & Characters

First of all, I have to say the use of the lazer cutter in the graphics department has hindered our progress greatly throughout the duration of this project. First, it had broken down, then it glitched, then – even after in plain-sight reserving it for the week – people decided to nab it from us. That was not helpful at all. After finally getting round to using it, the amount of time it took to individually cut everything soon came to be counter-productive.

First and foremost, we cut the basic models of the trees and shrubbery, in order to create a sense of scale with the rest of the set we were building. We didn’t really take into account the notion of balance with some of our prop / set designs. As you can see, the majority of the trees we designed and cut are top heavy. To rectify this, we will probably end up using a small amount of blu-tack to stick them. Hopefully, they won’t fall down during the filming of a sequence.

After that, we got to work on cutting out the base models for the animation. Brighde (who is unfortunately no longer attending University with us) did the initial character designs for the project. The “Princess” model turned out fantastic in silhouette. Personally, I think that the “Big Bad Wolf” hasn’t worked out as well in silhouette. Some of us think that it much more resembles “Lord Barkis” from the Tim Burton stop-motion film”Corpse Bride”.

Surprisingly enough, it was the tower – the largest model which we had to cut – which took the least amount of time. I think by this point we had each gotten a better grasp of how to use the lazer cutter, and how to efficiently speed up the process with little room for error. Spare one or two scuff marks on the edgesof the tower (where we had to pop it out from the surrounding foamboard) I believe that this model was a success.

With all the arduous cutting finished, we propped up two pieces of spare foamboard to act as a temporary background. When that was all done and dusted, we began setting everything up so that we could get a basic image / idea of what the finished layout would look like.

Here is a closer image of our final layout. We have the tower leaning against the back board, because blu-tack was not a good option for holding it upright. The shape itself is far too heavy. Due to camera angle and positioning, the smaller shrubs at the base of the set may very well have to be cut off. We are aiming to film it with a complete white background. If we are to achieve this, we are going to have to have the camera in a close-up / mid close-up position.

Before we start the proper filming of this project, we will be having a tutorial with someone who works with lighting in films and independant productions. This will be incredibly useful, as having the background, characters, and props, isn’t a fantastic choice where definition and contrast is concerned. When we are able to sort this all out, I think that the different shadows and highlights will make it look fantastic!

With any luck, we will have churned out one or two practice animations in the meanwhile. I’m definitely looking forward to getting down into the nitty-gritty of animating this project. The end result and process should be fun, whatever happens! Watch this space!

The Self-Negotiated Brief – Part Two: Proposal Evaluation by Tutors.

HULL SCHOOL OF ART & DESIGN

INDIVIDUAL TUTORIAL RECORD

• Student Name: Abbie Rial
• Course: Craft & Media Tech / Animation
• Tutor Name: G.S. / P.S.
• Date: 24.04.2012

TOPIC(S) DISCUSSED:

• Development / Process – Look at others process.
• Lots of rough designs / different iterations.
• Choose most appropriate / not initial favorite.
• Develop final designs.
• Prepare to present / i.e. character sheets etc.
• Evaluate.

ACTION AGREED:

1. Look at defining character to design (one sentence definition)
2. Look at colour palettes
3. Change of style…

The Self-Negotiated Brief – Part One: Proposal.

I am going to design and develop a set of characters, to be featured in a potential upcoming feature-length independent animation. I will be assuming the role of character designer and creature designer for this project, as well as contributing some pieces of concept artwork to accompany it – may they be in the form of sketches, finished pieces, or potential advertisements (posters, fliers, online ads…).

The character and creature designs in particular, will be achieved via the use of traditional mediums such as pencil and ink, with the aid of computer editing afterwards. I am a much more skilled practitioner of traditional means, so I will use this to my advantage. The dramatic effect given from the marker pens will accompany the equally dramatic narrative for the film.

I will create roughly about five separate character designs, each depicting a member of the main cast of characters. These will each include one page of conceptual sketches, a page of notes on the character, and a following character sheet (which will be used for display purposes at the end of the project).

Following on for this project, I also hope to create a short teaser-trailer using some of the designs, in order to advertise myself and my homepage to any potential viewers.

The subject of the animation combines the two following themes: Rock music, and the notion of “Faust” (the concept of making a deal with the devil, for the price of one‘s soul). This is a long-standing project idea of mine, which I have always wanted to bring into fruition.

As it presently stands, the animation concept is called “Until Then” but it’s a working title.

The narrative, which accompanies the characters,

is as follows:

There has been rumor for many years of a wandering, opportunistic, corruptive presence, which will seek out a vessel in order to successfully create hell on earth. This evil presence, known to few as Mahael, has now, after countless years of searching, found the ideal vessel with which he can enact his plans of all out chaos and destruction.

Robert Johnson, otherwise known to his adoring fans and band mates as “Nash” (due to a love of Nashville-brewed whiskey) is the lead singer of the immensely popular rock / metal band “Crossroad”.  He is recently stricken with grief, due to his fellow guitarist and best friend, Ed Crowley, being killed during an incident outside a venue.

During the American South leg of his most recent world tour, after the tragedy of his friend, he visits the crossroads made famous by the blues artist (who is also called) Robert Johnson. There, he meets Mahael, assuming he is not being serious, and jokingly makes a deal with the malicious spirit – and thus, our story begins.

Of course, no utter evil is without a force that seeks to diminish it. A strange, suited character that goes by the name of Brody Phelan begins to look into the ever-escalating situation – with full intent to stop “Nash” before it is too late.