Haven't blogged for a few weeks!

The last few weeks have been about trying to tie up all the loose ends . . . its ammazing how long it takes to do some artwork and plan printing and DVD menus etc.

Things are beginning to look a little clearer at least. Still so much to finish off though.
Half way through the production report, need to finish the Innovation Project and need to plough through my mentors info email for the Professional Practice report.

Also need to get to grips, very quickly, with encore for a simple menu for my Major Project DVD, as it will contain 3 animatics. No panic!

Last Background Image

Last piece of artwork to be finished for the major project, the living room for Couch Potato.

Loads for writing to do now in finishing all the reports and innovation project. Then, the job of artwork pieces for the postcard and business card which I am a bit blank about at the moment, don't know what kind of images to use . . . so I'll have to plough through artwork to see what I come up with as to what seems to represent my work.

Need to ask Jay Clarke loads of questions about his work and career, and about he achieves the results, which software he uses etc. Loads of bits and bobs to do!!!

Backgrounds

More close up shots of the living room background for Couch Potato, I really wanted to do more of these scenes but there just hasn't been time. It has been an invaluable time in getting to grips with painting in Photoshop and beginning to use programmes without having to stress about how to use them, freeing up the creative process instead. I hope to become more proficient as an artist using all forms of media . . . in time!

Nearly Final Animatics!

Think the animatics are about finished, they could probably be tightened up a bit more but time is running out for the other projects, so I am calling time on them.

The good news for me is that I asked Mike if he would do sound for the three animatics and he has said yes, which is fantastic!!!
I really needed someone to say that they had some inspiration when viewing the animatics, which he did, so that would give the finished feel to the films.

Anyway, for now here are the edited versions of Couch Potato, Country Lanes and Riptides.

Last Background Image

These are from the living room scene in Couch Potato:

The last background image I will have time for before the end of the degree unfortunately . . . then written work takes over again, which feels like the story of the degree. I feel like I have spent more time writing than drawing over the last 3 years.

Anyway, still getting to grips with Photoshop artwork, but things are improving, slowly.

Country Lanes Scene

Finally finished the countryside lane scene . . . although it took ages to do it was quicker than doing the shop front scene! Most of the scenes are a combination of some hand pastel layers and Photoshop, but as I improve in both Photoshop and using a graphics pen more is being done directly on the computer. But, hand pastel work creates a good textured base for distance areas on landscapes and I do want to keep working with hand materials for diversity of skill and appearance, so I don't want the computer to take over completely.

Anyway, there is one more background on my list to do, the living room in Couch Potato which I know will take a long time to do. So, I think I will do that in stages, fitting it in when I have a few hours here and there as I need to start the 'abstract' for the innovation project.

Although I haven't managed to do all of the backgrounds I will have a good cross section of designs fro each scenario, which is originally what I had planned.

Country Lanes Backgrounds

Been working on a country lane scene above . . . which I wanted to look quite detailed. These are finished sections from the scene.

I think it is coming along OK, but these scenes take me ages to do, I'm not quite sure whether the timescale is slow or average, I just know that there is alot to do in a scene like this. I could probably cut down on some of the distance detail which practice and reduce my thinking time with experience.

Also, this is where 'sketching constantly' comes into the picture, there is no substitute for life drawing and scenary sketching for backing up your work.

Riptides Backgrounds

Backgrounds with Character

Some of the shop front scene with Kenny:

I've been working quite hard on backgrounds . . . the shop front scene took an age to do, as it is so detailed. I think it came out OK and seems to match up with the other designs to keep consistency.

I hope to get through some of the outdoor scene backgrounds a bit quicker, like the beach scenes I think will be more 'fluid' than 'tight' as the detail areas are more organic type objects.

This Happy Breed - Background Designs

Some improved background designs:

Decided to abandon layout sheets for the time being for two reasons . . . one, I felt like finishing the artwork section, backgrounds and one more character sheet for Jamie the lifeguard, and two, I got a bit confused by what I needed to achieve for the layouts. So I'm waiting till the artwork is finished and till I can chat to someone about the layouts. Just not quite sure about camera moves and whether background layouts are done with characer sheets or separate.

I wasn't happy with some areas of the backgrounds that I had started, so I have improved them, at least I think they are an improvement! And can carry on with the others now . . . it always takes me a few days to get back into another area of work.

Layouts for Riptides

Just about to start layout sheets, which is going to be interesting as I haven't ever done layout sheets before . . . so with some, hopefully, helpful books from the library, I shall attempt to design them! Actually, not quite sure what I'm doing with them . . . I know the principle of them but feel unsure where to start. So I guess I will find out.

Couch Potato

Some rendered frames from new version of Couch Potato animatic:

Spent the last couple of days getting Couch Potato up to the same level as the other two animatics. It got a bit boring at the mid point, just filling in the line drawings, but at least its done now. It does look better than the line drawing version, I had difficulty in editing the line drawing version as not enough character came across, so now it has more atmosphere.

I have edited the new version and its looking more cohesive, but need to shorten it further. Its about 1 min and 14 seconds and I want to get it down by about 10 seconds, so hopefully next edit will get nearer to the right timescale.

Riptides

Spent the last couple of days editing Riptides and filling in scenes which didn't flow. It all got a bit frustrating on Tuesday and Wednesday as Photoshop, After Effects and Premiere decided to crash continually . . . so thanks Adobe, that was great fun!

Anyway, Riptides feels like it has been a marathon, but actually it has taken just over 2 weeks really, as I took a few days out to do a few other bits of work, but maybe it is because it was the last animatic to do. . . its been a long and hard 7 weeks.

I can't tell yet how Riptides is looking, need an independent eye to give it a viewing first.

The process over the last 7 weeks, though, has been interesting . . . I feel I have learnt loads of stuff and that my story telling through film language has improved greatly, which was part of the plan . . . so success there at least.
I have used Flash, Photoshop and After Effects for animated bits as they all do a variety of things, although I should get more used to using After Effects as it is the most versatile for actual clips and still use Photoshop animation layers for planning out the scenes.

Some clips from Riptides.

Innovation Project

Feel a bit clearer about the Innovation Project now . . . I was quite in a fog about it before.
Going to use my animatic technique from my Major Project. Been using Photoshop to draw out frames so that I can see if something is working or not. And with layers it is then easy to just chamnge the position or timing as you can chose between frames or a timeline method.

Mostly Couch Potato was done this way and it was a lot quicker to do.

For each animatic I have used a slightly different technique to get the results, sometimes varying the process just for a change as much as anything and sometimes for experimenting. So it is interesting how this has led me to the Innovation Project subject matter.

Sound for Major Project

Been thinking about sound (music and foley) since before starting the project, it is always the thing which trips me up. I don't really know what feel the music should have, kind of . . . know it if I heard it!

But I have made some progress hopefully, I have applied to Dartington for their expertise on Composition. Don't know if most of their students will be away for Easter hols or not, but I have had a couple of replys which sound interesting and interested, which is great.

My main thoughts for the films is that they should have one theme tune for the series, and that the foley aspect could be done with instrumental sounds instead of real or manufactured sounds. So, for example, a screeching brass instrument for Frank's cry of pain as he is being peeled, or flutes for bird song etc. Don't know if this is possible . . . hope so, as I can hear something like this working well and it would take care of both elements, music and foley.

I feel really excited about working with someone on specially composed music and sound.

Riptides

Bit behind schedule. . . but it looking Ok so I don't mind and I think I can catch up some time over Easter on the other artwork sections.

Riptides so far has taken just over 2 weeks to do and I will need to go through the final edit with Derek after the hols. It is looking good in colour though, so I am happy with that.

Can't get good quality clips small enough to up-load at the moment, have to speak to Georg apparently as he knows the settings for file sizing. So, it will have to be stills for now.