LAUAN 403 Task 11 - Follow Through and Overlapping Action

Follow through and overlapping action describes the action that takes place after the main narrative
action. It is used to demonstrate the weight and material composition of an object. Our task was to animate a stack of boxes- mine are made of jelly.

• WWW, squash and stretch, correct demonstration of weight and material, successful demonstration of follow through and overlapping action. End result is fun and boxes have appeal
• EBI, speed and timing I think could be slowed, neater line work and more consistency of shape. Planning, focus and concentration while completing task.

LAUAN 403 Task 10 - Staging

For our staging task we had to make a storyboard for a nursery rhyme. I chose one with a clear narrative/character. I drew it traditionally with pencil then fine liner and touched the images up on photoshop. 

• WWW - good use of rule of thirds. Clear drawing, shape and composition, thought about and varied camera angles. 
• EBI - probably could have included some more complex staging and maybe thought about background more. Possibly include some better shading to show lighting in future.

" I have a little frog" 

LAUAN 403 Task 9 - Anticipation

Anticipation is the movement before the main narrative action. It acts as a forerunner or precursor to tell the audience what is going to happen before it does. I left myself extra time to complete this task as I wanted to challenge myself- and I think the outcome is a success. 

• WWW - style, composition, timing, use of anticipation, time management. 
• EBI - better line work and consistency frame to frame, a bit more efficient planning, better expectation management. 

LAUAN 403 Task 8 - Squash and Stretch

Squash and stretch is super fun and was really interesting to learn and play with. I did try to maintain volume of the shape throughout these animations but definitely let it slip at times. However overall I think they work nicely and also use the other principles well- like arcs, timing and easing- although at some points I definitely over did the easing. I made the third little animation because I was enjoying the technique so much that I wanted to see where else I could use it.

LAUAN 403 Task 7 - Exaggeration

I found this task really interesting and something I'd definitely like to pursue- I'm really interested in audio. However I felt that I couldn't relate so much to the sounds that were on offer and therefore spent a long time faffing with planning again (!) Never the less, getting to know the dope sheets was very helpful and over all I am happy with my little animations. 

LAUAN 403 Task 6 - Solid Drawing

I found this task pretty difficult. It was hard to draw people in real time because they'd move or walk off or notice you looking at them. This made it a little frustrating at times but over all the task was really useful. I definitely feel like I was paying more attention to the drawing and observing more thoroughly than before. It might not seem it but personally I can see an improvement through the sketches and would definitely like to continue practising in this way.

LAUAN 403 Task 5- Arcs

This task was pretty straight forward although it was difficult to wrap my head around. Using the Waccom definitely took some getting use to but once I had I think I was able to complete the task quite well. Working completely digitally as well is something that I'm not 100% familiar with, so was great to get some practice in with that also.

The simple pendulum required a bit of trial and error but once I saw how it worked didn't struggle to reapply the process to the second sequence. Definitely seem to be noticing a pattern in my work now with the fish/ animals- which is quite nice! These tasks are not only teaching me the principals of animation but also more about my own style.

LAUAN 403 Task 4- Easing

I actually found this task really fun and satisfying to do. I incorporated the cut out technique and learnt how to use the onion skinning on dragon frame to make sure I was actually successfully easing. Overall I think the final outcome is nice, I'm quite happy with it. The sounds and colours work and it's simple yet effective. I think I definitely could have used more easing just for the point of this task but as a whole I think it works fine.  However again I was faffing about with ideas and wasting time on things that didn't work! So I do strive to be more decisive in future.

LAUAN 403 Task 3- Appeal

This task was about creating a character- writing about their background, who they are etc and then designing what they look like- and I found it pretty hard! It was difficult to imagine essentially who someone is and what they look like when they only half exist in your mind. However I was grateful for this challenge because it gave me room to improve and I did find it enjoyable bringing an idea into life. Next time I'll definitely try and stick to my style from the get go and stay more concentrated rather than wishy washying around with ideas and wasting time.

Character Development Sheet

Name: Jessie Jester

Background

Lives in a strange circus land/world/time where everyone is a character from the circus. She goes to school, hangs out with her friends and fights with her brother like a normal teenager- apart from the fact that she's a jester.

Personality

Lazy teenager. Moody, typical late teen, unapproachable, grumpy, introverted. Bullied a little bit in school for being a jester which makes her quite mean and quite unfriendly. Often bad tempered, unconventionally cool. Very tomboy ish.

Family

Loving mum and dad (also jesters). Mean older brother who picks on her in a brother/sister kind of way. Family dynamic kind of similar to 90's American family in California perhaps: Mum always cooking, cleaning, mothering, bossing, Dad fairly absent reads news paper etc. Also have a pet cat

Attitude

Grumpy, uninterested, monotone, layed back, cynical. A little bit shy, easily embarrassed. Often sulking or scowling at something.

Motivations

Likes listening to music, skating, reading books about adventure. Likes to secretly smoke cigarettes after school.

Appearance

Kind of medium weight, a bit gangly, quite tall with long arms and legs. Round face, slouchy, frowning mostly, leans on stuff, wears square boyish jeans with one pocket on the back and a baggy jester print jumper with red jester neck piece thing with bells on the end.

She has dyed purple hair in a big rounded bob kind of hair cut. Has jester make up/birth marks(?) often wears sunglasses and gold hooped earrings.

LAUAN 403 Task 2 - Straight Ahead and Pose To Pose

Cut Outs- I found this task super fun, a really nice technique. It was cool to incorporate craft work which I'm very fond of. I struggled slightly when planning but the use of a timeline was hugely helpful. Another step I struggled with was taking the pictures. I couldn't figure out which way round the background should go etc, but managed to wrap my head around it. I am actually really pleased with the final outcome. I think it looks really cute and the colours look great. It could definitely look more polished but as a first go I'm proud. (!)

Plastercine- I can totally see the appeal of plastercine and admire it as a medium. However, I found this task very unsatisfying and difficult! The plastercine didn't go where I asked it to, I could't undo my mistakes. Like leaving the craft knife in a couple of the frames. But hey hoe, it still works and actually it was fun to play around with. Never the less, plenty of room for improvement.

LAUAN 403 Task 1 - Timing

The pixilation animation was a fun little project with so much room for creativity it was hard to decide on one idea. I think my final pixilation was okay. I think the flow of it is a bit awkward and could definitely be more smooth. This would have been solved by more preparation and planning when shooting. Also some of the photos were not properly in focus, so I will pay more attention to that in the future. However, although it isn't particularly mind blowing, it does work. The lighting is nice and sound ties it together.