New Scenes

Above is shot of plant. (Background out of focus while foreground is in focus)
Establishing shot of house- will be raining- possibly a slight zoom. 

Weekend achievements:

• To complete two other shots in isolation section.  (Complete)
• To have animation schedule up on blog.

 

Animated Test

(Above is still image of frame.)

Creating a first rough render of a beginning  shot is very important at this stage to make sure frame rates, colour, export settings and screen size are adaquate for when I export all the clips to be edited in premier pro.

The issue I have with youtube specifically, is that the image becomes soft and loses detail between the line art and painted sections. I don't think this will hinder the project completely and even if I wanted to change my export settings to suit render output I may hit trouble when editing the clips in Premier Pro.

In the animation industry they use high spec computers to render most of their output which unfortunately I don't have therefore my final outcome my have this 'soft' look about it.

In terms of the animation itself, the fan shadow and the fan will need some work. I think it is too big and makes the visuals look closer than they should be from the ceiling. I will focus on improving this after a few more shots are fleshed out which will lead into my next next of production- animatic storyboard.

Final Script

FDA Specialist Project Final Script

Weekly Achievements

Today's achievements:

• Make an animation schedule.
• Test animation

Weekly Achievements

• To complete scheduled scenes
• To finalise voice actors (test sounds)

Need to think about animation paperwork:

• Timing sheets
• A final story board
• Sound que sheet
• A collection of sounds

Easter plans:

• 1st April- This week will be concentrating on animating the first section of the film- isolation. Within this there are around 10 different shots which are paced within 5 scenes. I have changed the way I am making the animation itself but producing and animating scenes as they come. Drawing out a list will ensure that I get a certian amount completed by the second week of Easter so I can then evaluate my progress and see if I need to streamline my script.
• 8th April- The second week will also focus on animating the isolation section, hopefully moving onto the next section. I will also review my progress and write an evaluation of where am at this point.

Mock Up Shot development

The contrasted areas will be stronger to add a sense of depth and mood to the image. Adding to this, more light will be painted coming in from the left to the right.

The final bit that will be added is in the foreground, in which a cieling fan will be placed (out of focus) and animated to create more atmosphere.

Update 24/03/2013

This week I have been mainly working on developing my visuals. The week in itself has been a little busy, with other projects on the go, but I have managed to find time to do some character development and line work that will go towards the final animation.

I am not confident in showing the final images yet, purely because I want to work on them a little bit more, but the line work would give an idea of how the character fits into this world I have created and also how the audience will first view Mazikki.

(Above) Here are two stages that will finally turn into a more tonal piece.

The largest threat for this project is being too complicated and I think this processes has highlighted this a little. Even though it can be achievable, the threat is still there I am thinking that a back up is in order. This would involve making the script more streamline which will give the project some breathing space.

Another aspect to think about is the schedule. I believe an detailed animation schedule is important to help keep this project under control. The way I am going to go about things may have to change such as listing scenes and animated them instead of trying to create everything separately without any order.

These things will be factored in this week in my achievements.

Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright was a well established American architect who created around 1000 structures. In particular (below) the building fits well within it's surroundings making it apart of nature.

'Buildings designed by him to complement the environment, they are not perceived as a closed space, but as a place in harmony with nature harmoniously.' (Maryana, 2012)

link:  http://www.minimalisti.com/architecture/01/modern-architecture-the-legacy-of-frank-lloyd-wright.html

On a side note, he was also a keen Japanese wood block painting collector who stored and sold them. I recognise some Japanese influence within his own works as he focuses on using the natural environment to bring the best out of his structures and to curve something organic out from the earth.


 'Falling Water by Frank Lloyd Wright'

 I have looked at his structures because they are a good reference for my first few establishing shots introducing Mazikki's home through two thin belts of trees. The house itself is a bit too grand for an average neglected bungalow, but the overall look of it peeking through the trees gives it mystic effect. Not only this, but the structure and perspective can help me with any technical aspects of the structure I make.

Feedback 18th March 2013

FDA Media Practice – Specialist Project – Tutor: Barrie White

INDIVIDUAL TUTORIALS – Monday 18^th March 2013

Name:        TARA PEAK

Points discussed (with feedback):

Script – Excellent script work so far. Well laid out in an industry format. A few typo errors need to be addressed.

Storyboard – Ongoing, see notes re shot list at bottom of page.

Schedule – Looks to be on schedule, but a test of visual style will help you realise what work is involved.

Actors/Crew – Voice over artist(s)

Blog – Looking good with good planning and visuals. Hope to see at least one mockup of your visual style soon.

Weekly Achievements

Today's achievements will be:

• Read comments about script and use points to improve it.
• Create first character drawing

Weekly achievements will be:

•  To have at least 3 background sets complete
• Rough character designs
• Storyboard (a compilation of set designs and characters)

Action Plan Update

Most achievements were reached with the most important (script) being completed to an adequate standard. The finalised version will be a on going task, until the voice and visuals have begun to be animated.

However, I did not manage to do a sound test with a possible voice actor, which may cause a delay in terms of recording. However, this is not a big issue because this can be completed along with the final script within a couple of weeks and does not interfere with any other tasks.

In terms of the project as a whole, there is still a threat that I may have created an idea that needs more time to work on than given. The step I will have to take to avoid this is to create a frame seeing how long it would take me to create it. It it takes too long I will have to think about 'streamlining' my script, trying to keep the story intact.

Update 16th March 2013

The script has been written out, and is ready for further steps of shaping. Now what is left is very visual, in other words the time consuming part! This isn't a negative but has the potiental if I don't ensure that my designs (sets) and characters are simple enough to look good but also re-create dozens of times.

To speed up the process of the set design I am going to use a combination of basic 3d imagery and photographs. (Both would be compiled together in photoshop and used as reference to create the final image). Google Sketchup is the quickist way to make 3d imagery because of its presets therefore the time spent in 3d will be minimal. Here is an example using 3d:

The great advantage is that I can set the camera where I want it so in photoshop all I have to work on is the apparance without having to worry about perseptive or compostion.

Visual Shot List

Through my second draft of my script I have not created rough ideas for the visuals. The difficultly will be the amount of shots I can afford to do before it becomes too much and re-creates the threat of being overcomplicated.
However, for now I have an estimate of around 9 shots per a chapter, which doesn't seem much but there are five chapters. The scenes themselves however can linger as it is meant to be a slowed paced 'tension builder' drama, and therefore some of the shots can be cut out. I aim to have this shot list finalised but the 29th of March.

Second draft of Script

FDA Specialist Project Script

Weekly Achievements

Today I will achievements:

• Review script to finalise by 15th March
• Entry: research into the five stages of grief, detailing what they are.
• Continue to revise the script

My achievements for the week will be:

• Finish script.
• Begin to write a visual list. (shot list)
• Test technique for creating graphical looking backgrounds.  

Script Update

First page of the script! Not all actions or visuals are layed out here but the voice is being developed.

As a first draft, I have just let words flow and even with that said, my initial ideal for him to have a gloomy dipostion has developed further into being bitter, cold and alone. 

INT. Mazikki’s bungalow, Dark and melancholy setting of his bedroom

Mazikki is lying lazily in bed.

MAZIKKI (V.O)

It was a dull, stony winter.

It was clear both within my inner most turmoil and around my pointless existence that my life resembled that very cold, prickly nature of both winters past and present.

That is why I put myself away like an exiled criminal shut out from the light.

Strangely yet purposefully, that is what I wished for.

Chapter one: Isolation

INT. Bathroom. Day time

The bathroom was suffused by an artificial indistinct light.

MAZIKKI (V.O)

It was within this exile that life did me no favours. My mindless brothers surpassed me in every way without caring for my existence.

My life separated from others when my heart separated 5 years ago- a sweet, delicate woman that slipped out of my grasp before being confronted by icy blackening manner of death.

It is only natural that I too surrounded my life in darkness.

ANNETTE (TEXT)

Why?

MAZIKKI (V.O)

Something had become of me within the many nights. A dream of some kind- a women somehow.  

Action Plan update 8th March 2013

This week has been big in terms of the development of my story, however it still has a long way to go. Unfortunately, I only have a short time to do this in but it is still achievable.

My next steps involve the scripts development. To start me off I have written the piece as a monologue, separating all of the sections (of grief)  but leaving out the visual elements until the voice element is finished. I plan to finish this by next Friday (15th) with most visuals set in stone also.

Along side this, I need to start collecting ideas and designing some of the backgrounds in which scenes take place. To start of, I will create the home of Mazikki. To keep the design simple and to avoid the threat of complicating the animation, I am going to use a collection of photographs similar to how 'She and her Cat' was produced, to create interesting detailed backgrounds. But for now, I am in the designing stages.

First Proposal

FDA Specialist Project Proposal by

Scheduling

 Progression update

I have been reviewing my progress so far, and it seems that my work is developing after each bit of research or video that I see. I think it is great to get inspiration from others but it is also a concern of mine because as good as research is, I don't want to fall into the trap of copying other work. I have been thinking about how to avoid such a disaster from happening and in truth I need to write down and get clear in my head what bits I want to apply and modify for my film. Only then can I feel that I am not simply recreating the same idea.

So this is what I have done. Combine sources of imagery by 'The Road', the isolated atmosphere and monochrome tone of 'She and her Cat' I want to create a slow placed edit that builds up tension to the critical phases of Mazikki's grieving. Colour itself would be added towards the end as the final stages of acceptance come into play. The animation style however would remain similar to Studio Ghibli, but the movement would be limited similar to 'She and her Cat' for production deadlines and to give the piece a dream-like quality. Even though I have taken ideas as inspiration, I want to combine them to influence my own work, writing it down makes the whole process a lot clearer.

However, this isn't set in stone. I am still continually doing research to get enough information for my script and until that is written out, my visual ideas my change. Not too drastically, however.

 Schedule

The progression of the production in more detail:

Specialist Project Schedule by

She and her Cat

She and her Cat by  Makoto Shinka

When looking at Studio Ghibli shorts, I came across 'She and her Cat' created by Makoto Shinka. He isn't a part of the Studio Ghibli universe but sits close next to it. This work in particular is interesting to me because of it's simplicity, yet it is conveying a message of loneliness in a heart felt way. It does away with the complex character types and focuses on a single bond that two characters share.

First Chapter extract from 'The Road' by Cormac Mccarthy

An extract from 'The Road' describing a dream of seeing a creature inside a cave:

''When he woke in the woods in the dark and the cold of the night he'd reach out to touch the child sleeping beside him. Nights dark beyond darkness and the days more gray each one than what had gone before. Like the onset of some cold glaucoma dimming away the world. His hand rose and fell softly with each precious breath. He pushed away the plastic tarpaulin and raised himself in the stinking robes and blankets and looked toward the east for any light but there was none. In the dream from which he'd wakened he had wandered in a cave where the child led him by the hand. Their light playing over the wet flowstone walls. Like pilgrims in a fable swallowed up and lost among the inward parts of some granitic beast. Deep stone flues where the water dripped and sang. Tolling in the silence the minutes of the earth and the hours and the days of it and the years without cease. Until they stood in a great stone room where lay a black and ancient lake. And on the far shore a creature that raised its dripping mouth from the rimstone pool and stared into the light with eyes dead white and sightless as the eggs of spiders. It swung its head low over the water as if to take the scent of what it could not see. Crouching there pale and naked and translucent, its alabaster bones cast up in shadow on the rocks behind it. Its bowels, its beating heart. The brain that pulsed in a dull glass bell. It swung its head from side to side and then gave out a low moan and turned and lurched away and loped soundlessly into the dark.

Pitch of Idea

The Cave of Nuppeppo by tarapeak

For a swot Analysis and notes read more: