FINISH YOUR FILMS! Work hard, work smart, work efficient, and most importantly, WORK AS A TEAM! Get some food and work together if possible. This film will be absolutely cohesive if you do. (Your level of teamwork will show up in the final result of this film!)
Prioritize finishing the art first. Work on the sound for your film as well and get both as complete as possible. We can spend the last week and a half of class tweaking sound, but your lineart and backgrounds need to be clean, fluid, COMPLETE and COLORED to the point where it tells the story well!
Read Chapters 10 and 11 of Your Career in Animation!
BEST OF LUCK PEOPLE! THIS IS THE FINAL PUSH! I WILL BE GRADING MONDAY, AND FINISHING UP BY MONDAY MEANS WE CAN SPEND THE LAST WEEK OF CLASS DOING OTHER STUFF! =D
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
For Monday:
We will cover beginner sound production in class on Monday. Meet me in Mac Lab 3. Mac Lab 3 only has 12 computers, so two of us will need to share.
A) Bring inexpensive props you are willing to store at school (either in your locker our our back room) for sound production. Remember: Dollar Tree is your best friend!
B) Bring resumes and career information I asked each of you individually to bring to me. Check your emails if you have questions beyond our mini-meeting in class today.
C) Continue working on your films, and hit your next deadline for Monday. Remember that staying proactive and finishing these milestones on time is the best and only way to get this film complete on time.
A) Bring inexpensive props you are willing to store at school (either in your locker our our back room) for sound production. Remember: Dollar Tree is your best friend!
B) Bring resumes and career information I asked each of you individually to bring to me. Check your emails if you have questions beyond our mini-meeting in class today.
- Note: If I asked you to email me with questions, research, or lists for jobs, have those for me no later than Friday.
C) Continue working on your films, and hit your next deadline for Monday. Remember that staying proactive and finishing these milestones on time is the best and only way to get this film complete on time.
- If you are constantly falling behind on deadlines:
- Speak with your crew and find a way to better hit them.
- NOTIFY ME BEFORE MONDAY so we can do the same.
- CREATE A REVISED SCHEDULE that accommodates for the time lost, but hits all of the backlogged scenes you still need to complete.
------------------------------------
On Monday, I'll ask you to begin reading chapter 10 and 11 of Your Career in Animation. I will also give you a passage to read in Directing the Story.
OUR GOAL FOR THIS CLASS: Have career materials ready by the last week of the month. Apply to internships sometime in the next two weeks.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Goals for next week!
Monday: Continue working on your films! Hit the deadlines you have set for yourself. I will grade you based on your progress!
For your internship/job research: Make a list of everything each job/internship asks for. Make note of the commonalities of each, and come to class with your research, and a list of things you need to apply to the jobs and careers you want! Make notes of deadlines as well!
Ultimately, I will ask you to apply to at least 3. If you have ones you want to apply to ASAP, begin work on them! If you have questions about resumes, demo reels, portfolios, and the like, we will begin crafting them soon. We will begin to talk about acquiring that which you do not currently have next week.
Wednesday: Read chapters 7, 8, and 9 of Your Career in Animation.
As of this point, you are expected to stay vigilant about producing your films! I will be expecting you to hit your deadlines for Monday! Next week, we will begin talking about compositing your individual parts together, to see how the entire film is coming along. Continue working hard, and continue working together! Email me if you have any questions!
For your internship/job research: Make a list of everything each job/internship asks for. Make note of the commonalities of each, and come to class with your research, and a list of things you need to apply to the jobs and careers you want! Make notes of deadlines as well!
Ultimately, I will ask you to apply to at least 3. If you have ones you want to apply to ASAP, begin work on them! If you have questions about resumes, demo reels, portfolios, and the like, we will begin crafting them soon. We will begin to talk about acquiring that which you do not currently have next week.
Wednesday: Read chapters 7, 8, and 9 of Your Career in Animation.
As of this point, you are expected to stay vigilant about producing your films! I will be expecting you to hit your deadlines for Monday! Next week, we will begin talking about compositing your individual parts together, to see how the entire film is coming along. Continue working hard, and continue working together! Email me if you have any questions!
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Homework for Monday and Wednesday:
FOR MONDAY, MARCH 24th:
A. Watch The Making Of: Little Witch Academia, and Little Witch Academia. On Monday, in the last 25 minutes of class, we will discuss this film as part of our talk on the collaborative process of animation, and the technique and thought that goes into great layouts.
- link to documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-5Bs9IfCp4
- link to the actual film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdHsmzdNbT0
- Another copy of this documentary is available for you to watch on the server.
- Make sure you know the following!
- Studio name for production: As the credits are in japanese, here is a list of some of the crew at this link:
- Names for creators, directors, and lead animators.
- Names for the positions in the film that are most important for you.
B. For those who did not have their book: Verify with me that you have purchased a personal copy of Your Career in Animation, How to Survive and Thrive. Points are taken off for not having it today. More points will be lost by next class. You will have a higher grade by emailing me proof of your copy of the book BEFORE sunday. This does not include any copy of the book that may be in the library. From now on, you should bring that book, Directing the Story, and The Animator's Survival Kit to EVERY CLASS. An artist is only good as one's tools.
C. Turn in these items to me:
- Your final schedules and list of jobs for completing this film. They need to be THOROUGH! I need to know not only what you will do each week, but what goals you have for each class day. I will hold you to these schedules and grade you on your ability to hit your own goals, checkpoints, milestones, and deadlines.
- Your 50 Sketches for your film. The 50 sketches are to be made from different elements of the film. Some must be done digitally (Photoshop, or Toon Boom will do), and the others must be done traditionally (in your sketchbook, on paper, etc.) Make a copy of your traditionally drawn sketches. While you work Monday, I will grade them all. I am looking for accuracy that lies beneath the surface of your sketches, like:
- Are your sketches on model?
- Is there a progression in drawing quality as you drew more of them?
- Are you drawing the characters with different poses, facial expressions, etc. in mind? Are you trying to capture their personalities on the paper?
- Are you doing any backgrounds?
- Are you drawing any of the most important props?
- Are you sketching turnarounds, and important details of the characters?
- Are you acting with your drawings and trying to capture your characters "in the moment?"
- Are you drawing for accuracy, or are you drawing just to complete this assignment? I can tell which.
- Email me at mshaw@mca.edu with a progress update for your group, and a personal evaluation of how you think things are going in your group so far. This is purely confidential, and I will not share these with anyone but you.
- On Monday, have one person from your group, other than Creative Producer, meet with me about the status of the crew as a whole. They will turn in item 1 for you. I will meet with them no more than 5-10 minutes to field questions and the like.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR WEDNESDAY MARCH 26th:
A. Read the introduction, and pages 1-97 of Your Career in Animation.
B. Do research, and bring to me a catalog of at least 10 places you are interested in applying to for potential internships. Research who they are, and make a list. The division is the following:
B. Do research, and bring to me a catalog of at least 10 places you are interested in applying to for potential internships. Research who they are, and make a list. The division is the following:
- 3 Big Ones outside of the city. (High-profile, "glass ceiling" places you have always wanted to intern for.)
- 3 Local Ones Here.
- (I said 5 in class, meant 4.) 4 Others that you are interested in applying to, from anywhere, that you can get something rewarding out of.
- (Mandatory for DM 335 students and seniors, extra credit for everyone else) Also bring in 4 additional potential jobs you would want to apply for.
You need to have with you, not only the job's name, but the job's duties, requirements, and what you need to do to apply. You need to know all of this. As a word of advice, get yourself a folder or binder, and print out each of these to bring to class.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Homework For Wednesday:
Reminder: Have a copy of Directing the Studio by Wednesday. If you are having trouble due to Amazon being temporarily out, Phil has provided his source for an online copy here.
"Barnes and Noble has a Nook ebook version of this on their website that you can read instantly online or on an e-reader that can view epub format.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/your-career-in-animation-david-b-levy/1112159421?ean=9781581158397"
1. Make schedules for your team! Final schedules are due Monday, but I need preliminary schedules by Wednesday. I will also need a list of jobs, and who is doing what for your films.
2. Make your basic dropbox accounts if you have not already created them! The free option will suffice for this class. http://www.dropbox.com/pricing
3. Watch The Making Of: Little Witch Academia. We will discuss this film in class as part of our talk of industry knowledge on Wednesday.
4. Review the technical side of producing layout drawings at this link, have questions for me on Wednesday.
5. In the contract, I asked you to produce 50 Sketches of the characters of your film. I will need those sketches by NEXT MONDAY.
6. Begin work in class @4:20! What I will begin to ask for everyone is to start coming to class at least by 4:15. That way, you have time to get acclimated, and we can start work much earlier. By the time 4:25 hits, everyone needs to be working on our films!
7*. Take a look at what IMDb Pro is used for. It may be a good purchase for yourself in the future. http://www.imdb.com/pressroom/about/
"Barnes and Noble has a Nook ebook version of this on their website that you can read instantly online or on an e-reader that can view epub format.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/your-career-in-animation-david-b-levy/1112159421?ean=9781581158397"
1. Make schedules for your team! Final schedules are due Monday, but I need preliminary schedules by Wednesday. I will also need a list of jobs, and who is doing what for your films.
2. Make your basic dropbox accounts if you have not already created them! The free option will suffice for this class. http://www.dropbox.com/pricing
3. Watch The Making Of: Little Witch Academia. We will discuss this film in class as part of our talk of industry knowledge on Wednesday.
- link to documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-5Bs9IfCp4
- link to the actual film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdHsmzdNbT0
- Another copy of this documentary is available for you to watch on the server.
- Make sure you know the following!
- Studio name for production: As the credits are in japanese, here is a list of some of the crew at this link:
- Names for creators, directors, and lead animators.
- Names for the positions in the film that are most important for you.
4. Review the technical side of producing layout drawings at this link, have questions for me on Wednesday.
- TECHNICAL INFO: LAYOUT IN TOONBOOM (maximizing your storyboards, and bringing them from storyboard pro to animate pro) https://www.toonboom.com/resources/tips-and-tricks/layout-and-posing
- Additional resources are in the post below this one. These are the resources, in addition to our books, that will help you become better animators this semester!
5. In the contract, I asked you to produce 50 Sketches of the characters of your film. I will need those sketches by NEXT MONDAY.
6. Begin work in class @4:20! What I will begin to ask for everyone is to start coming to class at least by 4:15. That way, you have time to get acclimated, and we can start work much earlier. By the time 4:25 hits, everyone needs to be working on our films!
7*. Take a look at what IMDb Pro is used for. It may be a good purchase for yourself in the future. http://www.imdb.com/pressroom/about/
Resources for Part 2 of Class: (Copied from Contract)
a.
Layout: (the first and most important thing you will do when you begin animating):
i. Analog Notes for Layout and Design
1. Brad Bird’s Notes on Compositon and Layout for Animaton
http://www.animationmeat.com/pdf/televisionanimation/brad_bird_on_comps.pdf
http://www.animationmeat.com/pdf/televisionanimation/brad_bird_on_comps.pdf
2. Hannah Barbera’s HOLY GRAIL of notes on layout
production, given to all of their animation artists.
4.
TECHNICAL INFO:
LAYOUT IN TOONBOOM (maximizing your storyboards, and bringing them from
storyboard pro to animate pro) https://www.toonboom.com/resources/tips-and-tricks/layout-and-posing
ii. Techincal: Learning
Toon Boom: https://www.toonboom.com/resources/video-tutorials/toon-boom-animate-pro
Check out the following link above for a HUGE list of tutorials for Toon
Boom. Anything you would want to know about Toon Boom is divided by category
here. Browse these and watch as many as
possible. (1-5 are reviews of what we already know. If you feel comfortable
with these, start at 6.) The most important ones are 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12.
1.
Getting Started With Animate and Animate Pro
(for a refresher on drawing skills, and menus)
2.
Drawing Basics
3.
More Drawing Tools
4.
Adding Colors
5.
Gathering Content
6.
Library
(for saving assets)
7.
Scene
Setup (possibly nice for motion paths)
8.
Animation Paths
9.
Sound
10.
True 3D
Space
11.
Effects.
12.
Exporting
and Compositing Animation Files(To take your separate scenes and bring them
together easily.)
13. All
about timing. (most of this you are familiar with, but this helps with the
toonboom side of it.)
a.
Download Toonboom’s Personal Learning Edition
at this Link
i. Download
it at home and use it in your spare time to practice your animation skills.
1. You have the link to the 50
animation exercises to master. Click Here. You can
not transfer PLE files to the real software. Whether you use the school’s
software (preferred) or this practice software at home, you will get extra credit until the end of the
semester for every exercise you do successfully.
a.
An A =
5 points. B = 4, C = 3, D = 2, and F = 0.
A plus(+) adds .4, and a minus(-) subtracts .4. For every lvl 1 exercise
you do, you will get an extra .2 points . Every level 2, .4, and every level 3,
.6. You choose which project to add your points, except for the final.
ii. CURRENTLY,
TOONBOOM ANIMATE PRO IS ON SALE FOR 699.
IT’S EXPENSIVE, YES… but it is a good idea to save up to buy it for your
career, especially if you know you want to do more 2D Computer Animation, and
perhaps get into rigging and more puppet animation one day.
2.
Have Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and
Thrive purchased and in your hand by March 19th. We will
have career seminars so to ensure your upward mobility in our company. Contact mshaw@mca.edu to confirm receiving this letter.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Suprises for You! Check your email!
Happy Spring Break! =D
You may have noticed that I didn't update Friday. Is it possible that it was to give you time to spread out before posting details of your assignment? Am I replicating the time delay for an actual studio? Oh snap! Maximum swerve!!!
Check your MCA email address. Your mission is a low maintenance, yet challenging task that you can complete anywhere (as long as you have a method of contact and some access to a computer.) It looks like a lot, but part of it is more long-term. Read and you will understand. It is preparation for communicating with studios and partnerships from all over the world and beginning to think and come together as a team. There are secrets in there that are important for you.
MAKE SURE YOU MAKE A LIST OF EVERYTHING YOU NEED THAT YOU DON'T HAVE YET.
Read your respective emails, and bring to me what you need by your first day back to class. For those of you who listened last Wednesday, and remember what I said your project was, it has not changed. Details are in the email.
As a note: Here is the link for the personal learning edition of Toon Boom Animate Pro. Everything else is in your email. Seriously. Read it. Seriously. You won't be disappointed.
https://store.toonboom.com/downloads/try/275
Note: DO NOT STRESS OVER THIS ASSIGNMENT. Enjoy your Spring Break, because you need it! But DO complete this. We will be in Studio-Mode once you get back, and there will be a zero-tolerance policy with finishing missions later that their "Time of Arrival (ToA)".
Regardless of your grade, everyone has the potential to pull an A in this class. The special little something in your email is the beginning of it all. You'll see. On your first day back, you will start animation production. We are jumping right in. Email me if you have any questions! =)
Team Breakdown: (will need studio names in two weeks)
Alpha Team Un
Zach Lyles
Bethany
William
Mary Beth
Beta Team Deux
David
Sean
Roxanne
Ishmaa'iyl
Gamma Team Troix
Amanda
Melanie
Christa
Pachone
Phil (who also serves as Executive Sound Director for all three projects.)
As an added bonus, I know i've provided a lot of American Resources this semester. I just found a Making of for a Kickstarter Anime, produced by Studio Trigger. One of the most important people to remember from said studio is Hiroyuki Imaishi, who is responsible for clips from Evangelion, the Lupin Movies, FLCL, Gurren Lagann (Director), Panty and Stocking, Little Witch Academia, and most recently, Kill La Kill. Google search them if you're interested. All of them are considered staples of the best animation the east has to offer... the most frenetic at least.
Here is the Making-of for Little Witch Academia. Watch at your leisure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-5Bs9IfCp4
You may have noticed that I didn't update Friday. Is it possible that it was to give you time to spread out before posting details of your assignment? Am I replicating the time delay for an actual studio? Oh snap! Maximum swerve!!!
Check your MCA email address. Your mission is a low maintenance, yet challenging task that you can complete anywhere (as long as you have a method of contact and some access to a computer.) It looks like a lot, but part of it is more long-term. Read and you will understand. It is preparation for communicating with studios and partnerships from all over the world and beginning to think and come together as a team. There are secrets in there that are important for you.
MAKE SURE YOU MAKE A LIST OF EVERYTHING YOU NEED THAT YOU DON'T HAVE YET.
Read your respective emails, and bring to me what you need by your first day back to class. For those of you who listened last Wednesday, and remember what I said your project was, it has not changed. Details are in the email.
As a note: Here is the link for the personal learning edition of Toon Boom Animate Pro. Everything else is in your email. Seriously. Read it. Seriously. You won't be disappointed.
https://store.toonboom.com/downloads/try/275
Note: DO NOT STRESS OVER THIS ASSIGNMENT. Enjoy your Spring Break, because you need it! But DO complete this. We will be in Studio-Mode once you get back, and there will be a zero-tolerance policy with finishing missions later that their "Time of Arrival (ToA)".
Regardless of your grade, everyone has the potential to pull an A in this class. The special little something in your email is the beginning of it all. You'll see. On your first day back, you will start animation production. We are jumping right in. Email me if you have any questions! =)
Team Breakdown: (will need studio names in two weeks)
Alpha Team Un
Zach Lyles
Bethany
William
Mary Beth
Beta Team Deux
David
Sean
Roxanne
Ishmaa'iyl
Gamma Team Troix
Amanda
Melanie
Christa
Pachone
Phil (who also serves as Executive Sound Director for all three projects.)
As an added bonus, I know i've provided a lot of American Resources this semester. I just found a Making of for a Kickstarter Anime, produced by Studio Trigger. One of the most important people to remember from said studio is Hiroyuki Imaishi, who is responsible for clips from Evangelion, the Lupin Movies, FLCL, Gurren Lagann (Director), Panty and Stocking, Little Witch Academia, and most recently, Kill La Kill. Google search them if you're interested. All of them are considered staples of the best animation the east has to offer... the most frenetic at least.
Here is the Making-of for Little Witch Academia. Watch at your leisure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-5Bs9IfCp4
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Notes for Storytelling:
Things to look for in storytelling:
Storytelling:
Conceptual: Is this a good story? An interesting story? Does it do something new?
Technical: Quality of Boards: Clarity of Boards: (Goes into Layout Design) Animatic Timing, if showcased?
Drafting:
Conceptual: Do the environment and character designs lend themselves well to the story at hand?
Technical: Quality of Character Designs, Environment Designs, etc.
Pitching:
Conceptual: Level of Confidence and believability. (Does the pitcher know the story front and back?) Are you encouraged to watch this story? Do we begin to care about the characters?
Technical: Clarity in communicating the message?
Make notes about what they do well, and what needs to be improved!
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Notes For Wednesday!
No due dates have changed as of this message. My current idea for our pitches is this:
I've placed a folder on the server with the name "Midterms_StoryMaterials" in purple. You can look in the example_MichaelShaw folder for how I want you to arrange everything you have worked on in class so far.
I will also be looking for your printed storyboards! Email me if you have any questions!
- Everyone comes to class at 4:20. We will begin pitching at 4:25.
- EVERYONE will pitch, and we will go one after the other: Allotted time: 1 hour, 30 minutes. You will be stopped at the 10 minute mark.
- We will take our designated break, but the time we should be complete with all pitches will be around 6:10.
- We will spend the last 45 minutes tallying votes, giving feedback about the first half of the semester, and preparing for the second half.
- I will give you your homework assignment before class is over.
I've placed a folder on the server with the name "Midterms_StoryMaterials" in purple. You can look in the example_MichaelShaw folder for how I want you to arrange everything you have worked on in class so far.
I will also be looking for your printed storyboards! Email me if you have any questions!
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Classes Cancelled Monday, Studios and Mac Labs Still Open for Use.
Well snap.
The weather can be an unpredictable entity, huh?
As far as now is concerned, anything due on Monday will now be due Wednesday. Anything due Wednesday is still due Wednesday
Read: EVERYTHING IS DUE ON WEDNESDAY.
The order of people to pitch will not change, and we will start with #1 when we come to class. Arrive on time, as we will start immediately. There will be Zero opportunities for turning in late assignments.
Stay tuned to your emails and this blog for a resolution about everyone that would have pitched on Wednesday, and what we will do to make sure everyone gets their chance to showcase his or her work. We will still make sure groups and films are decided by the end of the week.
In the meantime, enjoy your day off! Email me if you have any questions!
The weather can be an unpredictable entity, huh?
As far as now is concerned, anything due on Monday will now be due Wednesday. Anything due Wednesday is still due Wednesday
Read: EVERYTHING IS DUE ON WEDNESDAY.
The order of people to pitch will not change, and we will start with #1 when we come to class. Arrive on time, as we will start immediately. There will be Zero opportunities for turning in late assignments.
Stay tuned to your emails and this blog for a resolution about everyone that would have pitched on Wednesday, and what we will do to make sure everyone gets their chance to showcase his or her work. We will still make sure groups and films are decided by the end of the week.
In the meantime, enjoy your day off! Email me if you have any questions!
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Recap: Due Monday!
As a note, ALL WORK IS DUE ON MONDAY FOR ALL STUDENTS. NO EXCEPTIONS, NO CHANCES TO TURN THINGS IN LATE.
- Have your film storyboarded with your animatic! (Anyone who turns in their animatic on monday, along with your personal work will receive extra credit! Standard due date for ANIMATIC ONLY is Wednesday.
- The best thing you can do is showcase a timed animatic with your story, so we can get a feeling of the story's flow. You can show this in addition to walking through your storyboards and characters step by step.
- Have all production materials complete with color! These include:
- Character Designs (with turnarounds)
- Environment Designs
- Additional art you have created to better flesh out the story.
- Have your pitch 100% ready! We will start at 4:20, no exceptions.
- Properly package your materials in a folder on a flash drive, or on the server so you can pitch clearly and best showcase your story for green-lighting.
- ADVICE: Practice your pitch! Remember I am allocating 10 minutes for each pitch. You probably want to complete your pitch in 7 minutes, so you have 3 minutes of flexible time. (You always take longer than you realize in the actual pitch)
- CREATE THESE MATERIALS
- DUE MONDAY:
- Print 14 copies of your script.
- Print 2 copies of your storyboards with the format, (3-Panel Horizontal)
- Export storyboards to PDF in the following formats.
- 3 Panel Horizontal
- Overview
- Full-Page
- DUE WEDNESDAY:
- Create a design document for drawing your characters! I.E. a "how to draw guide." This must be turned in by everyone on wednesday, and those who have approved stories will give it to their teammates for review.
Monday, February 24, 2014
FOR WEDNESDAY!
1. Take one of your storyboarded panels, and practice with the camera controls. Try to get an accurate camera shot you are happy with. Remember that I want you to make an animatic of your entire film for next Monday! It's great practice for timing for animation!
2. Go to http://www.dropbox.com and create a new account. We will use these to help us transfer work as the semester continues!
3. I will take a look at everyone's blogs and acts 1 and 2 and grade them accordingly. If you did not turn in complete work, you have until next class to turn it in for partial credit.
4. For March 19th: Check the Syllabus post, and order Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive.
5. As a final note and reminder: Remember that you need to create a design guide for drawing your characters! Refer to the Adventure Time Art---> Charadesign folder for creating your characters. There is a pdf called "How to Draw Adventure Time" take a look at it.
6. Start working on Act 3! I'll give you revisions to make for your story. Our stories are solid enough that we are at the point of revising and refining everything for our pitch.
Remember: EVERYTHING IS DUE MONDAY. NO EXCEPTIONS! =D
2. Go to http://www.dropbox.com and create a new account. We will use these to help us transfer work as the semester continues!
3. I will take a look at everyone's blogs and acts 1 and 2 and grade them accordingly. If you did not turn in complete work, you have until next class to turn it in for partial credit.
4. For March 19th: Check the Syllabus post, and order Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive.
5. As a final note and reminder: Remember that you need to create a design guide for drawing your characters! Refer to the Adventure Time Art---> Charadesign folder for creating your characters. There is a pdf called "How to Draw Adventure Time" take a look at it.
6. Start working on Act 3! I'll give you revisions to make for your story. Our stories are solid enough that we are at the point of revising and refining everything for our pitch.
Remember: EVERYTHING IS DUE MONDAY. NO EXCEPTIONS! =D
Recaps and Reviews for Camera Angles!
Note: The following resources were compiled from various resources on the internet. Pick and choose and find what works best of you! That said, there are three books that will need to be in your library if you want to be the best at what you do, be it animation, illustration, or more cinematic photography.
Why are we learning shot types? The only way for you to expand your knowledge as a visual storyteller is to know all of the formulas and conventions you have at your disposal. Even one new frame could be the difference between an amateur production and presentation and a visual masterpiece of storytelling!
A list of helpful books for cinematic storytelling, good for both Animation and Live Cinema!
THE RULE OF THIRDS:
VARIOUS CAMERA SHOTS:
Basic Shots: http://www.mediacollege.com/video/shots/
Advanced shots begin to manipulate the camera and treat it as more of a character in the film, moving and swaying between angles and shots to create a more lived in space:
Dolly shots are some of the most advanced, yet easiest to preform in animation. Dolly shots are where the camera trucks, weaving in and out of the scene, around characters key environment elements, and other places.
Two Shot: A medium shot with two subjects.
Overhead shot (bird's eye view): Camera is facing down from above.
Canted shot: When the camera is tilted on it's axis so that normally vertical lines appear slanted to the left or right. Ordinary expectations are frustrated. Often used to create mystery and suspense in films to create a sense of unease in the viewer.
Handheld Shot: "shaky cam" sometimes played up in action scenes to suggest a state of unrest.
Remember that the shots you use already come loaded with information for your character to use. Also remember that keeping the camera steady in some instances will give your character pivotal moments to come alive.
BONUS: Notes on camera angle diversity: Notes on camera diversity.
Staging and blocking for animation:
Why do we stage and block shots? To better plan our animation. It's a good idea to have a list of documents for what our cartoon will be. Printouts of our character and our character's expressions for easy reference. Printouts or organized sketches for your characters. Documents of the action and shot direction. Drawings of where you think your shots will be. And, it makes you feel better about the work you do. Seeing the pieces of your cartoon come together creates a sense of pride in your cartoon, as if you are doing something important that many people are simply unable to do. It's the truth.
Things to remember:
Practice your draftsmanship! Draw lighter in the beginning, sketch first, refine second! We will animate our character through drawing frames! Block out each shot.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Homework for Monday
1. Read everyone's blog posts about their current script, story, character designs, and environment designs! Critique their progress! Give feedback on what works, and what needs improvement. As a guide, use the sliding scale below:
- Structure your critique of their work in a sliding scale of 5 comments, based on the following:
- 1st: What is the most successful thing about your walk? (STORYTELLING) (+ +)
- 2nd: (+)
- 3rd: (*) Something working, but still needs to be refined further.
- 4th: (-)
- 5th: What is the thing that needs the most improvement in your walk cycle? (- -)
Please document their comments, then write what you learned about your walk cycle. This can be typed or written down
2. Complete acts 1 and 2 in Toon Boom Storyboard Pro. Bring your files to class.
2. Complete acts 1 and 2 in Toon Boom Storyboard Pro. Bring your files to class.
3. Finish reading chapters 2 and 3 in directing the story. I will assess you knowledge of these chapters on Monday.
4. Read this link on cinematography for The Incredibles. It provides a great deal of information about storyboarding, layout, and cinematography for animation:
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Reminders For Wednesday:
As we are having a workday in class tomorrow, the homework I assigned on monday will help you better understand what is possible when storyboarding for animation. Remember that I need you to read chapters 2 and 3 fully by next monday, and 4 and 5 fully by the monday after.
- Storyboarding example 1: Watch Bee and Puppycat at this link.
- Review the storyboards for the pilot here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/179687713/Bee-and-PuppyCat-Storyboard
Make note of differences between the initial boards and the final show. We do not know if these boards were the final draft or not, but the accuracy and clarity of storytelling shines through. - Storyboarding example 2: Watch Seoul Sessions Vol 5: Putting it all together. This is a precursor into creating layouts for animation. In class, I will ask you about the video, in terms of the importance to layout design for animation. Layout is the next step in the animation process, and we will do it as we animate together. From a psychological standpoint, think of layout as "setting up your scenes to be animated properly."
- As requested, here is Lesean Thomas's storyboards for Lin Beifong's pivotal scene in Legend of Korra, along with a clip from youtube. (Storyboards are huge! Download file and zoom in to view everything!) Note the vertical format for the storyboards, an eastern tradition in storytelling. You can check his deviantart page for many more samples of storyboarding.
- Storyboarding example 3: Here is a link for storyboards from 25 EPISODES of ADVENTURE TIME. Pendelton Ward classifies himself as an okay artist, yet note the clarity of message and storytelling in the boards. If you have any trouble as you are working on your boards, or in establishing shots, take a look at these and see if you can get some ideas for your cartoon.
- Have your designs and environments posted to the blog for grading! I will ask you to comment on each other's work in the next couple days!
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Notes and Prep for Monday's Class
Hello Class!
I know we missed a day of animation class yesterday due to potentially inclement weather. We would have covered an introduction to storyboarding for animation that day, but our introduction will be pushed to next Monday. This will give you less time to storyboard your projects, but we will make the most of the next few weeks we have.
For those of you who want to get ahead on things, do the following:
1. (Repost from this monday) Post all of your design elements (characters, environments, script, etc) to your blog. Start fleshing out secondary characters. Remember what the other post asked for in scripts, etc! I will check for it all on Monday, and you will be asked to comment on these posts very soon.
2. Read chapters 2 and 3 of Directing the story. There is so much great information in there that will will help you understand what we cover on Monday so much more. It's way more text-heavy than the Animator's Survival Kit, but the information in there is NEED to KNOW for anyone interested in a career in storyboarding.
Next Monday, we will continue where we left off. Have a great weekend! Email me if you have any questions! Those of you who have, I will contact you shortly.
I know we missed a day of animation class yesterday due to potentially inclement weather. We would have covered an introduction to storyboarding for animation that day, but our introduction will be pushed to next Monday. This will give you less time to storyboard your projects, but we will make the most of the next few weeks we have.
For those of you who want to get ahead on things, do the following:
1. (Repost from this monday) Post all of your design elements (characters, environments, script, etc) to your blog. Start fleshing out secondary characters. Remember what the other post asked for in scripts, etc! I will check for it all on Monday, and you will be asked to comment on these posts very soon.
2. Read chapters 2 and 3 of Directing the story. There is so much great information in there that will will help you understand what we cover on Monday so much more. It's way more text-heavy than the Animator's Survival Kit, but the information in there is NEED to KNOW for anyone interested in a career in storyboarding.
Next Monday, we will continue where we left off. Have a great weekend! Email me if you have any questions! Those of you who have, I will contact you shortly.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Links to Class Elements and Assignment for monday!
List of Links Covered from Class:
Sites on Scriptwriting:
Sites on Scriptwriting:
- The 3 Main Elements of a Script:
- http://www.bloopanimation.com/writing-a-script/
- REMEMBER: MOST IMPORATNT PARTS OF SCRIPT: Location, Action, Dialogue.
- Jeffrey Scott's Website (super amazing writer for cartoons)
- http://www.jeffreyscott.tv/Scripts.htm (tons of example scripts for download; also a lesson on excellent website design)
- http://www.jeffreyscott.tv/
- A great resource for color selection and color thoery:
On the server lies the reference folder of awesomeness! It will be appended to as the class continues. Use the resources and examples for designing characters, designing environments, and the like. Use them to your advantage!
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Assignment for Monday:
Begin work on building your story! Write out a detailed beginning, middle, and end of your stories, referencing either the scriptwriting examples at the links above, or the Powerpuff Girls and Adventure Time examples in the folder.
Use the mouse works model pack as a reference, as well as the scripts on the server and the links above. Flesh out your acts, and remember that your script's descriptions should match the pacing of your film! A more detailed description of an action indicates a slower, more deliberate and methodical timing of your character's movement, or of the scene itself. If you're going to have dialogue, we need to have the dialogue fleshed out.
Trim the fat on unnecessary scenes like we discussed in class! Each action, each word, and each element of plot should be exactly what needs to happen in the story. Pace it out so you're not writing more or less than the allotted time. Your sense of pacing will evolve as you write.
Use the mouse works model pack as a reference, as well as the scripts on the server and the links above. Flesh out your acts, and remember that your script's descriptions should match the pacing of your film! A more detailed description of an action indicates a slower, more deliberate and methodical timing of your character's movement, or of the scene itself. If you're going to have dialogue, we need to have the dialogue fleshed out.
Trim the fat on unnecessary scenes like we discussed in class! Each action, each word, and each element of plot should be exactly what needs to happen in the story. Pace it out so you're not writing more or less than the allotted time. Your sense of pacing will evolve as you write.
BY MONDAY, I NEED TO SEE:
- A written script for your story, with the acts, dialogue, action, and locations clearly defined. You can either use the script links provided, or the Powerpuff Girls reference on the server.
- Preliminary Character Designs for your major characters in a refined state. Make them colored, and draw the different sides of your characters! Have them arranged as front, side, three quarters, and back, similar to the example below:
More examples are on the server in the character design folder, and even more are visible with a quick google search for "character design model sheets"
- You can have more than one potential design idea. (use your visual references. Break down what is most important for your story.
- Preliminary environment designs for all of your major environments. (Color, etc, just like for your characters.) You are allowed to include photographic reference.
- I need color palettes too. For your environments and your characters. Use the site http://kuler.adobe.com for help in case you need it. (major environments are the ones your character spends the most time in.)
- Preliminary Environment Designs for all your major environments as well. You are allowed to use photographic reference.
For those of you that want to make some solid art, remember that an animated film is many pieces of art, all coming together in one amazingly epic production. Use this weekend to assemble the first major pieces of your story, and email me if you have any questions! I will send you grades, feedback, and the like this weekend.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
=D
Sites on Scriptwriting:
The 3 Main Elements of a Script:
Location, Action, Dialogue.
Jeffrey Scott's Website (super amazing writer for cartoons)
http://www.jeffreyscott.tv/Scripts.htm (also a lesson on excellent website design)
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Assignment For FEB 3rd and FEB 5th!
Assignment: Due FEB 3rd! (B) and FEB 5th! (A)
A) DO ONE LEVEL 2 EXERCISE AT THIS LINK! NO TIME LIMIT, BUT HAVE GREAT CLEAN LINES and AWESOME ANIMATION!
http://www.animatorisland.com/51-great-animation-exercises-to-master/
A) DO ONE LEVEL 2 EXERCISE AT THIS LINK! NO TIME LIMIT, BUT HAVE GREAT CLEAN LINES and AWESOME ANIMATION!
http://www.animatorisland.com/51-great-animation-exercises-to-master/
B) WRITE THE FIRST DRAFT OF YOUR STORY! You are creating the first iteration for your film. We will read and revise your stories on that day, optimizing them for animation production. Make sure you have the following:
A clearly defined Act I, II, and III, with all of the important major parts of your film Use the questions in the previous post as a guide.
Storytelling elements:
- Inticing incident
- Plot Point 1
- Setbacks in act 2 (a minimum of 3)
- Plot Point 2
- Climax
- Denouement/Resolution
- A clear beginning, middle, and ending.
PARAMETERS FOR YOUR STORY:
- In addition, while you are allowed to create any story you want, you must follow the following criteria:
- 2 characters (both do not have to be the main character/protagonist) (if you are trying to use the environment as a character, you must let us know how you will make it into a living, breathing world.
- Your character must go through a conflict of some kind. It does not have to be a physical one, but GREAT storytelling comes from watching characters deal with the hurdles that arise in one's life.
- Time Constraints: 2 minutes minimum; 3 minutes maximum. This gives you ample time to craft a solid short film that has a rich world. Films that will be potentially longer or shorter must be approved my me on a case-by-case basis.
2. CREATE A VISUAL DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE FOR YOUR FILM! We talked about this on Monday. You will need to research potential design styles for your characters, environments, and anything that will be in the film. Knowing the ins and outs of your film is the first step to creating a great pitch! Below is a detailed example of what you will need to have in your package:
- 10 different examples of possible visual designs for your film (environment and character design!)
- 3 that lend themselves to exactly the look and feel you first envision
- 3 that are more experimental and are designs that stretch what you feel you are capable of. You can take a more graphic approach, or a realistic one.
- And 4 that are targeted to maximize the potential of your film! Look for designs that are technically sound too. (Designs you can implement pieces from to make sure that you can actually finish your film and make it look well)
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