Unit 2.1 Advanced and Experimental 3D Computer Animation Techniques – Project 1, brief page.
This post includes personal notes about the start of the project.
Task: Create a 30-120 second animation.
Project Introduction
An animal character is young and therefore is more susceptible to being fearful of new experiences. Perhaps it can be a breed of dog that is traditionally stereotyped as being dangerous. The narrative will express the fear theme through behavioural language and facial expressions. As well as camera work and mise-en-scene that sets the scene.
While adults become more desensitised to certain experiences in their life, a new born is experiencing everything for the first time. It takes time for them to get used to it. Their senses are heightened, and their instincts make them more cautious about approaching unknown things. My concept is based around this theory.
Personal Challenges
- Facial rig and animations. It will be my first time rigging a quadruped and animating an animal.
- Making realistic facial animations to portray accurate emotions, mood, reactions and purpose.
- Creating a well structured narrative that expresses my theme well.
- Time management and commitment to a well thought out timeline of workflow.
Personal Notations:
WHAT is she afraid of? Fear of outside, the unknown, loud noises or threatening looking strangers?
To what degree is the severity of the phobia? Is it at an understandable and ordinary level for a young puppy to be experiencing new things in life, or is there a deeper psychology behind it?
Is she apprehensive to leave the dog house because of fear or is she just lazy to go inside? Unproductive life-style. Perhaps natural self protection from dangers- weak when young. Everything is stronger than her, therefore she instinctually protects herself?
Fear can be visually portrayed through high angles looking down at the character, emphasising vulnerability and how solitary she is- unprotected/fending for herself.
Mise-en-scene: I could add more objects to signify the theme of fear. Objects that will create noises. On the other hand, I should only model the bear essentials in order to direct my time wisely.
Ways to show fear:
- facial expressions.
- audio ‘whimper’.
- body language changes to fit the mood.
- timing of editing to show a change.
- Look up animal behavioural characteristics when frightened.
What’s Next?
- Gather Assets.
- Learn Techniques.
- Gather research for concept.
- Begin rough design of concept.
Personal Rough Notes:
To do list:
- Make storyboard (+ refined version with edits posted out).
- Mood board, at least for colour and visual narrative theme. e.g. low poly.
- Mise-en-scene, think about how I can tell the story with symbolism.
- Make model plan (location of models from the top view). Use this to draw over when making camera and Animation plans.
- Make 3D model mini sketch- prep for making the models- plan. Can take a photo of a real house and make sketch of it simplified.
- Make environment: House front, fences, dog house, grass.
- Find an online quadruped model and rig to view. Rig needs to have facial expressions.
- Work out a camera animation path plan. Type of shots where.
- Dog animation: path, style of movement, and what movement when.
- Simplify wherever possible. Look for basic solutions.
- Think about the environment- how can I tell the story in simple, symbolic and easy ways. (Be quick about it).
- Start animating tests by the end of next week!
- Work out timestamps for each shot. Make time ref videos of me imitating the actions of the dog. This will help in terms of animation reference and timing reference (to work out how long everything will take).
- Think about the character’s personality- gestures that show what he is like and exaggerate the narrative theme e.g. fear.
- Find research references.
In Terms of Blogs Plans
This is week one- planning. Figuring out the concept.
Week 2 is gathering assets and testing techniques. (just put the dog walk cycle animation on here when I have made that- say it is a test). Or if there are many versions, e.g. failed versions, then you can put them in week 2.
Week 2 notes:
Research about dog fears
I am currently unsure with how the concept of fear currently goes into the narrative that I have planned. Especially considering that the whole narrative depends on the dogs acting performance and one sound effect. It will be hard for the audience to understand exactly what it is that the dog is afraid of. I am even unsure with what is it right now. Some research about fears that people/dogs typically have is necessary to move forward.
I though of the fear of going outside could be suitable, and unknown noises scare him. Simply the fear of the unknown is suitable and simple, but I need to portray it correctly. I think exposition about the environment and character is necessary. For example, the front gate fence may be creepy and old. Unappealing visually, with a sense of foreboding. Perhaps this is what the sound dog finds scary. (That actually sounds like a good idea).
I believed agoraphobia to be the fear of going outside, but it actually is “a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed“. So this does not really relate to what I had in mind for my character’s narrative.