Evaluation

FDA Evaluation

Five Cycles of Mazikki

Project Update: Audio and Final visuals

Premiere Pro was the major program where I built the final piece. Some animation was created in here or overlapped. For example, some of the shots of 'she' are masked over other clips to avoid having to re-animate. (top: Middle and bottom screen print).

For the most part of the edit, I used (top print) I did not place fades until the bulk of the edit was down. This was to evaluate and pacing of the film only using fades it is suited the mood or and specific emotional point.

Fades also helped soften some of the transistions, however, I must avoid placing too much because I don't want it to feel repetitive.

Photoshop was the main animation program, using the very simple key frame system. It is not accurate like After Effects (AE) but allows creative freedom in terms of keeping the colours and right dimensions of the characters.

It also allows your animation to be on multiple layers with easy access of previous frames to repeat an action.

The cave sequence was firstly animated within Photoshop, and finalised within AE. This has been a common process within this production and has increased my workflow- creating more animations, fast.

The last screen print is to make sure all audio levels are checked and consistent through-out. It also allows me to add any last effects to the whole film and add the colour bars and tone for the final product.

Set Design

Bellow are shots of the sets used within the film:

 Single use- bridge shot

 Multi use- wider shot, mid shot
Establish shot of home

 Single use- running through the light within the forest.

 Single use- Dark, gloom corridor.

Character Sheets

Mazikki Poach

Mazikki Poach is a feline creature living in a small village surrounded by woodland in which both him and his wife, Annetted lived peacefully. He had always been a good natured, well established man within his village but a series of events caused him to lose touch with the world.

Annette unfortunately past on, dying from illness and a year before the series of events within the film took place. She was the love of his life, and without her, he fell apart- isolated from the village. He started to drink and loose touch of his home before hopelessly staying in bed.

He became even more distant to the real world when he meet his dream friend who declared herself as 'She'. It was up to her too pull him out of the mess he created by symbolically finding Annette and forcing him to accept her death.

'She'

She is a shadow of a feline women who treads the line between reality and dream world. The reason she came to Mazikki was unknown and never really explains who she is during the events. She communicates through very little speech, repeating or asking questions to reveal the true emotions of her friend.

Her body mass is unknown while she never stays the same shape between land and water. She remained a mystery after events, never to return to Mazikki again. He always questioned if that was Annette in shadow form but never thought to ask because of his emotional state.

Annette Poach

Annette was a kind natured feline creature, similar to Mazikki, but with delicate features. She passed on due to an unexpected illness a year before Mazikki met 'She'.

No detail is reveal about her within the film, as Mazikki could never bring himself to even say her name. He seemed to refer to her as she, similar to the shadow women, giving clues that he may have though of the shadow women to be Annette at some point.

Tackling Rendering Issues!

After doing a lot of straining to get those final animation shots finished and final touches to the audio, it can be easily assumed that there is nothing else to take into consideration.

Unfortunately that is not the case, as rendering the whole project can be just as taxing as the above.

This technical issue occurred because I have been combining three different software to export individual clips. Photoshop, After Effects and Premier Pro have been the main programmes.

It has been stated on the Adobe website that RGB colours sometimes get misinterpreted within the final render, causing blue areas to flicker on the image. This has been a problem the occurs mostly when using the animation codec within After Effects. In my case, it is the codec I used from Photoshop renders that caused this problem. Luckily there is a work around as stated on the Adobe site.

Using the crop effect within Premier Pro, is the most effective way of getting rid of the problem without having to animate or re-render any of the clips again. The effect does not directly do anything to the image unless you put in units. The idea is to flatten the troubled clip with the effect, causing the problem to stop. The only issue, is a small flickering at the bottom of the screen which can be fixed during and second render.

More info can be found out here:
http://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/kb/movies-have-blue-cast-exported.html

Promotional Material

Above is another promotional poster to use within my own marketing material.

Audio Screen Prints

 

 Audio screen grabs-

Here I used effects such as equalisation and the high pass filter to create the TV effect. The more you add with the effect the more condensed the sound.

I also used effects such as delay to add echo to the piece. Using this effect allows me to have more control over the amount of echo used. 

After Effects Work

Here is an example of my work with After Effects. The program was used for:

• Creating movements- such as bubbles or other effects to be added onto film
• Colour correction
• Repeating a single action.

Animation Process

 http://ervand.deviantart.com/art/Rain-Splash-Animation-Tutorial-20276062

Above is a link to a tutorial on how to create rain within Photoshop. It really helps in creating a moody effect onto the image:

 The technique describes using four layers selecting each one within a different frame.

This technique is also good for the waterfall and other ware effects. It is important to make sure layers are selected correctly within each frame.

It also cuts down the workload because I am able be only draw four frames in which creates a flowing movement.

Music Cue Sheet

FDA Music Cue Sheet

Animation Update

Screen grab

This is an example of my work process within Photoshop. Here I have used four frames, in which are repeated to produce ripples within the water.

19th May Post 2013

A quick up date to the past week.

After viewing the first editing, I felt I needed to go back to the inspiration- 'She and Her Cat'- to help any pacing, music and other issues that I have expressed within the last post.

I will be posting about the changes within the edit within the next few days.



For now, I have a movement piece, to prove that I haven't go into hiding from the due date!

Storyboard and Rough Edit

Changes to Edit

The edit itself needs to be tightened up, which in turn will also cut down the work within the animation process.

The first problem is the pacing of the edit. There are large gaps of no speech in which makes the piece feel too slow. Feedback from my tutor suggested that I have continuous speech through-out to maintain a pace. To do this  I will need to add speech in-between the main dream sequence, during the first section of the film. The new lines I will be adding are as follows:

 'As I pass by a waterfall, deep within the cave stands a shadow of a women. She says....'

'The dreams kept on repeating and I did nothing to stop them.'

Along with adding lines, it is also important to begin cutting the script. Certain themes run through the piece and therefore lines need to reinforce them but not repeat the same ideal in multiple ways. The section, 'Bargaining' mentioned a deeper reflection of the dream from the beginning of the film. Therefore cutting lines from this section would not take anything away from the story or what Mazikki had mentioned before.

As discussed with my tutor I will think about cutting:

•     Any repeated references to winter coming back
•     when Mazikki talks about questions.
•     Visually, cut some blur shots- tentacle shot- because it has no reference
•     'Summer ending'

Along with this titles will also be cut, placing text over visuals to give it that sense of flow.

The work will be achieved with these cuts made. I have also realised that without these cuts, the length would be longer than expected. This was the right choice to avoid the film becoming long winded and dry.

Test Edit

Here is a initial test edit of the introduction to my film. (See 'Changes to edit' post for comment on feedback).

Rushes Logs

Chris Peak Participant Release Form

Release Form

Recording Session Two- 6th May

It was important during the second session to remind Chris of his character. This involved re-reading the whole script and listening to the clips.

With the accent and tone correct the session began very well. This time round was more relaxed with less issues or unnecessary pauses as before. Ultimately, all final scenes plus some repeats from before were completed.

My directing style was stronger the second time round because I was more confident in what I was doing. I had a stronger believe within my project and new my character well enough to discuss tone clearly. I also ensured that I recorded at least three slightly different versions of each line to have a better choice within the edit.

Better communication grew with a better understand of the project and Chris responded will to my suggestions. Furthermore, he also made some of his own allowing us to have an open discussion about Mazikki's character at certain points. In turn, this influenced the edit because the tone of the lines will depict what visuals I use and the pace of the imagery.

Call Sheet 6th of May

Release Form Two

FDA Release Form Two

Promotional Poster

Promotional work is important to advertise your film and your talents. It draws people into your concept , giving them a window into your film.

I want to do a series of posts and web banners which will feature on social networking sites to promote my film. Important moments in film will be used as posters. Bellow is an example of an important frame within my animation- the first revealing of my characters.

To see more of my promotional work, look to the promotion tab at the top of this blog.

Voice Acting Session One

Session one: 29th April 2013

This is the first session I worked with Chris Peak, the voice of Mazikki. After I reviewed his audition clips, I felt he was the best candidate because of his expressive tones and consistent accents. His pitch and tone also reflected the character well.

At first, the session began a little shaky. I noticed that his voice felt a little tight and some of the expressions felt forced. However, this was purely nerves and as we moved on he became more interactive and the expression in his voice was a lot better. He had a great deal of professionalism and understood and recording process well, leaving me with minimal editing. Chris also took direction well, when I explained an emotion or the characters present state of mind, and used this to fuel his emotions to take on Mazikki's role effectively.

My director skills were similar to Chris's progress throughout the session. At first, I wasn't as clear and concise as I felt I should of been which didn't help develop Chris's voice for his character. However, as time went on we both fitted into our roles and I was guiding his expressions. It is important within the film and animation industry to be able to make sure that you have good communication skills because it is an industry built on good, well received ideas. Also, I general lack in the ability to be concise and confident about my ideas and therefore this is a great way to polish up that skill.

The next session well begin the same time next week, due to busy schedules for both of us, in which we will complete the script and complete any lines (the first few at the beginning, for example) which are lacking the right tone or expression.

(This review can also be seen within the 'Voice Actor Profiles' tab)

FDA Media Call Sheet one

Progress review 29/04/2013

My aims within the past to weeks were:

• To complete the 'anger' scenes and shots.
• To put up revised schedule
• To mock up a storyboard of completed scenes so far. 

I have started to create a sequence within Premiere Pro to enable me to see how well each shot connects with the next. It also helps me see any inconsistency's with the colour or amount of exposure in each shot.

Research- Character Design

Research- Character Design

From doing a research proposal about the changes of the representation of anthropomorphic characters during the world war 2, I have learnt a lot about character design in general. The proposal itself and the research that I will carry out will help to inform my specialist project in general.

Firstly, anthropomorphic by definition is to put a human behaviour or characteristic onto anything that you see around you. This can be an object, animal or even the weather. Anthropomorphism is well know within the Japanese culture with their humanoids and other non-human characters within titles such as 'Spirited Away' from Studio Ghibli as well has featuring heavily within Western children animation. Not only that but in today's society, these characters are also featuring in more adult films and animation such as 'Family Guy' or 'Ted'.

Interestingly, as a part of our daily lives, we also anthropomorphise especially if we have pets. Even by naming something, you are placing a human characteristic (an identity) onto your pet, car or house. Within the media, hurricanes or other weather disasters are given that same quality. Thus becoming an entity itself, it gains a likability because people can now find something similar between themselves and the uncontrollable issue at hand. By 'likability' I don't mean it in the sense that people start to like harsh weather conditions, but to empathise, relate, or find reasoning for its existence. Public preparation is better and the understanding between the reports from the media and the community is a lot clearer. It is funny to think that a single anthropomorphic trait can help public awareness.

Mazikki Poach is an anthropomorphic character. He experiences emotions like a human and deals with situations the same as well. Not only does it create more appeal to his design, but also helps inform my narrative. Grief is a hard subject to tackle at the best of times, as well as heavy smoking addictions, and alcoholism. Driving a story through a more appealing style of character, the narrative is easier to convey. Anthropomorphism softens the narrative. For example, in 'Finding Nemo' the story begins with the death of a loving wife and many children with on surviving but given a disability that hinders his life. Through people, this film would of had to been told carefully but with animated, non-human characters, not only does the narrative feel less harsh, but also begins to have a family appeal to it.

Here is my presentation of the subject and about the research that I will undertake.  In terms of my specialist project, my literature review and reading into the subject will help inform my work.

FDA HLS Research Proposal

Progress Review

This week has been long with other projects to do which is why this weeks blog posts are lacking. However through-out this week I have still been working on my shot list and animating.

 My work flow is improving because I am drawing faster and painting faster, leaving me more time to animate and colour. The ultimate goal this within the next week is to get the anger section completed of the film.

I must apologise for not making sense, when talking about 'sections'. By this I mean the chapters that split the film (but of course flow naturally together) into areas linked to grief.

This week has been a challenge because of the other projects I have to balance along with this one. However, it is a interesting challenge none the less. For the most part I have created a shot a day and for the times I missed a day, made up for it by doing two. In terms of my time management, this week has been adequate because I still need to improve the balance between projects.

I believe this to be an important learning curve and a part of the process of the Specialist Project. It prepares me for the tight deadlines in the real world of work and well as the process of animation. Therefore this should crush the ambition that drives this project so far, but inspire it to move forward!