THE LAST WEEKEND

Hopefully, the visuals will be finished by Monday. It has been an incredible process, and the possibilities and problems are limitless. It seems not quite enough preparation had been done for this production early on. However, I am super excited to get some constructive criticism and refine the piece for next spring's animation festival.

ANIMATION LATE STAGES

I am currently allotting about 4 days at the end of this week in which to complete the visuals to the animation. Being behind schedule, the audio phase of the production has been sidelined until winter break. Credits, legacy shots, and the fixing of several characters in many sequences still needs to be completed. It should be fun.

The animation is not complete, but 24 hours of additional work should be able to cap off the essential visuals.

last stages

The animation process continues....I still have 3-4 scenes to animate with characters in them, plus legacy scenes and the credits. The sound implementation might have to wait until next semester, as it is a very important project for putting the audio touches on this film.

In regards to the legacy scenes, they may be more of just slide show clips with very limited animation; these come prior to the credits--which are still planned to be their own animation sequences as the motor-home travels through different terrains.

Armature frustrations, remaining work

Getting down to the nitty gritty, I have constructed a to-do list (things I have yet to do to complete my animation). I would definitely wager that the animation is more than half way complete, and while the remaining items are difficult, they can take less time.

Armatures cannot and should not be duplicated in Flash unless the movie clip or graphic ITSELF is duplicated. I had a scene in which a girl moves her arms, however, going back to the scene, the arms were missing and legs were in their place, doing a totally different motion in another area of the stage. Armatures will be used for many upcoming movements.

to-do list at this point:

*Animating anywhere from 2-7 characters in 7 scenes (complete with environments that have been, for the most part, finished)

*adding additional effects to all scenes (9 of them), perhaps shadows

*Finding a title for the film

*Implementing 4 additional (very short) so-called "legacy" scenes, in which characters photos merge into events in the story and vise versa.

*Making a transition from the hardship phases to the legacy scenes (for the sake of flow)

*Credits, which WILL BE a series of shots involving animation (incorporating end credits with a tasteful animated sequence of motorhome travel).

*SOUNDTRACK INTEGRATION, a potentially enjoyable problem, considering the different solutions

*SOUND EFFECTS...have to be prudent with this one, because the music will fade in and out, and should not be obstructed by particularly loud noises.

(some all-nighters may be coming, even though I am theoritically on schedule and realized that the sound integration process should only be a 2-day ordeal instead of a week and a half).

Armatures and my animation

If you take two graphics and break them apart TWICE, you can then proceed to create an armature for those two pieces (this is incredibly helpful when putting together an arm for a humanoid character.

My animation has plenty of character work left to go, but initial constructions of characters can be used in other scenes.....just tingling with excitement here...as I imagine other animators in 424 are also doing. I am a bit all over the place now, working on several scenes at once. Audio considerations are still in the thinking phase.

revisiting with the class

Above are screen shots from scenes in my animation. The title of this movie is still a WORKING TITLE. I am at odds on what to call this, let alone how to structure the soundtrack for this flick.

Making a quick presentation of where I was at to the animation 424 class on Friday, it definitely appears that there is much more to be done and considerations to make (audio, character animation, time frames, etc.). However, there was good feedback and I am fired up to continue with the process.

Title and story flow for animation

I still need a concrete title for this piece. Anything I come up with is either cheesy or not accurately representaitonal of the visuals and overall theme. Another problem arises when considering the flow from the hardship segment of the animation to the finale shots. How do I go from one to the other with minimal or no text and smooth transition.

Not too excited about this mid-showing of the animation this Friday....totally incomplete and revealing, but that's show biz, the feedback could be immensely valuable.

Above are images of the family motorhome used for merging, rotoscoping, and animation purposes in this process.

character problems

I am highly considering the idea of rotoscoping from photos of family members in order to animate the people in the animation. Using frame by frame (after rotoscoping in Flash or Illustrator), I can then build movement and emotion off of the more accurate rotoscoped characters.

Character developments

Attached with this posting are images of my sketches for what the 8 characters of the animation might look like. I have yet to develop these characters and animate their movements, time is getting short (with realistically only a month left to animate). But we're making progress (no pressure, but right now I am moderately frreaking out)

WOW....Flash discovery

This might be old news for some people, but for me it is a revelation that aids my process and will make some of my problems easier to solve. I DISCOVERED that you CAN change the ALPHA of a SYMBOL (either graphic or movie clip)....and not only that, but you can do that through the use of a CLASSIC TWEEN.

This might help others, maybe not, but it proves to be very helpful.

Animation difficulties

No screen shots have been processed as of now, but 3-4 scenes have been overall completed. The development and subsequent animation of characters has yet to be accomplished, and the tougher scenes are on the way--scenes that will involve the characters.

Had trouble creating shape tweens with imported graphics from Illustrator, even after breaking them apart. I hope to find a way around this so that graphics in illustrator can fade into existence in the Flash reel from photo to animation.

STORYBOARDS: "How We Did It"

Here are the official hand-drawn storyboards for my animation of Fall 2010 AT Mesa State College. The process continues. =)

Contemplating characters, 1st and 2nd scene almost done.

First scene complete! But it's only the intro, and the ironing out of character construction and how characters will actually animated is still in process. I am considering the unique problem of dealing with identifiable characters (8 of them), and yet potentially having slightly different images of some of the characters when merging particular photos into animated representations. This is an interesting one, AND I am considering frame-by-frame, especially when looking at the activities some of the characters will be doing and the desire for frame-by-frame mastering. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

This is a risky part of this particular animation, because different instances of some of the characters may be used, from direct representation to cartoonish representation (considering frame-by-frame animation in many sequences involving the characters).

SCRIPT NOTES_ANIMATION 424

These are images of rough script notes from the storyline process. "How We Did It", scheduled to begin production next week!

UPDATED CONTRACT (INCLUDING TIMELINE)

ANIMATION CONTRACT

*updated 9/24/2010

*Jomas Gibson

*ARTG 424 Animation Studio 1

*Fall 2010

*”How We Did It” (WORKING TITLE)

*Animation Style: Flash, still images (file of old images from shoot), simultaneous combos of such.

*Animation Script

Self-written script, based on life experience

Adapting a years-long tale into a short, expository, humorous, animated story

Story: Journey in a 27-foot motorhome (“How We Did It”)

Aspects of family’s journey from motorhome travelling, associated hardship

To finding new life and renewed spirit (WORKING THEME: Maintaining

Positive spirit, functioning together as a family—KEEPING THE FAITH)

*Animation characters: 8 characters (other cameo possibles) family members

(Solving animating issues with characters: style, mobility, personalities—BIG DEAL).

*Animation background(s): several, including animated and still images. Blending of mediums to fall in with animation flavor

(outdoors, inside mobile home, landscapes, places of travel, cities).

*Animation props: possible occasional captioning (VERY SPARING) (TELLING THE STORY THROUGH VISUALS AND CREATIVITY!!!!!!!).

Elements that relate characters to the story (motorhome as material essential, “shot” from multiple angles; use of photos for regeneration of vehicle.

*Audio: well-placed, appropriate sound effects, plus backdrop music score (something humorous with relevance to story, a “family favorite” but also a visually-lending tune). Tracks to fit the atmosphere.

*Equipment: Flash, scanner for images, possible audacity use for song editing, iMovie (adding sound effects), Illustrator (prop construction), Photoshop (editing photos for animation), other.

*INTRODUCTION: animated graphics (motorhome coming to life) as story leads its way in.

*SCENES: series of events portraying the trials and struggles of a lower-class eightsome and a highway RV journey (humorous takes on the hardships and dramatic aspects).

*CONCLUSION: Restatement of “working theme” through visuals, possible animated graphics and additional tidbits of journey with ending credits.

TIMELINE

WEEK 1 (9-18-2010 to 9-24-2010): Scanning images for prop construction, planning storyboards, refining theme, premise, character development.

WEEK 2: Preliminary contruction of props (also for merging photo and animation), integrating props into first scenes, editing photos.

WEEK 3: Preliminary contruction of props, integrating props into scenes.

WEEK 4: Contruction of props, Flash animating (landscapes, characters, etc.)

WEEK 5: Contruction of props, Flash animating (landscapes, characters, etc.)

WEEK 6: Contruction of props, Flash animating (landscapes, characters, etc.)

WEEK 7: Figure tracks to be used, Flash animating (landscapes, characters, etc.), transitions.

WEEK 8: Flash animating (landscapes, characters, etc.), refining transitions, credits.

WEEK 9: Flash animating (landscapes, characters, etc.), refining transitioins, credits.

WEEK 10: Flash animating (landscapes, characters, etc.), complete Flash work.

WEEK 11: iMovie phase, music and sound integratioin, synchronization.

WEEK 12: (IF NECESSARY) Make changes, additional final touches.

(I plan on constructing a rough version of the movie prior to adding additional detail.)

(A brief journal of the process will also be kept for the sake of keeping track of daily progress.)

Scanning images

Album photos will play a big role in the construction of props for this animation. Along with this post are some of the pictures of the motorhome that will serve as templates for RV construction and the inside rooms.

ANIMATION CONTRACT

*9/15/2010

*Jomas Gibson

*ARTG 424 Animation Studio 1

*Fall 2010

*”How We Did It” (WORKING TITLE)

*Animation Style: Flash, still images (file of old images from shoot), simultaneous combos of such.

*Animation Script:

Self-written script, based on life experience

Adapting a years-long tale into a short, expository, humorous, animated story

Story: Journey in a 27-foot motorhome (“How We Did It”)

Aspects of family’s journey from motorhome travelling, associated hardship

To finding new life and renewed spirit (WORKING THEME: Maintaining

Positive spirit, functioning together as a family—KEEPING THE FAITH)

*Animation characters: 8 characters (other cameo possibles) family members

(Solving animating issues with characters: style, mobility, personalities—BIG DEAL).

*Animation background(s): several, including animated and still images. Blending of mediums to fall in with animation flavor

(outdoors, inside mobile home, landscapes, places of travel, cities).

*Animation props: possible occasional captioning (VERY SPARING) (TELLING THE STORY THROUGH VISUALS AND CREATIVITY!!!!!!!).

Elements that relate characters to the story (motorhome as material essential, “shot” from multiple angles; use of photos for regeneration of vehicle.

*Audio: well-placed, appropriate sound effects, plus backdrop music score (something humorous with relevance to story, a “family favorite” but also a visually-lending tune). Tracks to fit the atmosphere.

*Equipment: Flash, scanner for images, possible audacity use for song editing, iMovie (adding sound effects), Photoshop (editing photos for animation), other.

*INTRODUCTION: animated graphics (motorhome coming to life) as story leads its way in.

*SCENES: series of events portraying the trials and struggles of a lower-class eightsome and a highway RV journey (humorous takes on the hardships and dramatic aspects).

*CONCLUSION: Restatement of “working theme” through visuals, possible animated graphics and additional tidbits of journey with ending credits.

Animation Presentation: BUSINESS SIGNS

Highlight video: combining physical and light animation (two aspects)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5MUWNPD0rw&feature=player_embedded

Highlight video: Driving down the Las Vegas Strip...
http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?n=21&ei=utf-8&fr=yfp-t-948&tnr=21&p=las+vegas+strip&vid=166373360291&dt=1245913200&l=249&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts4.mm.bing.net%2Fvideos%2Fthumbnail.aspx%3Fq%3D166373360291%26id%3D06384fcfccaa659854295e55975f52b9%26bid%3DAk25MCmQ93UgxQ%26bn%3DThumb%26index%3Dch1%26url%3Dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3dM8jcORf7Hdg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DM8jcORf7Hdg&tit=Driving+down+the+Las+Vegas+strip+in+HD&sigr=11avdimtc&newfp=1

Animation Presentation: TRAVEL

Highlight video: taking a trip through animation...
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xanqhg_casa-sheikh-zayed-animation_travel

the big one

Ironing out the theme and idea. Contract in its closing days....

Animation Presentation: animation and TRAVEL!!!

ANIMATION PRESENTATION


Sep. 10 2010

Jomas Gibson

ANIMATION + TRAVEL





• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Likh7MRGsac (globe)

• Concept of travel

• Application of animation

• Animated maps

• Animated maps (history)

• Animated maps (geography)

• Animated maps (motion pictures—old and new)

• Travelling for sake of “illumination”

• Travelling globally (G. E.)

• http://www2.ucar.edu/news/ocean-currents-likely-to-carry-oil-spill-to-atlantic-coast (oil forecast---spill)

• Travelling for sake of education (history)

• http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072424370/student_view0/animated_maps.html# (online learning center)

• http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/cedarcreek/maps/cedar-creek-animated-map.html (taking us to cedar creek)

• Tourist aid

• http://dai.ly/asyhXY (hotels)

Animation Presentation: animation and business signs!!!!

ANIMATION PRESENTATION


Sep. 10 2010

Jomas Gibson

ANIMATION + BUSINESS SIGNS







• Advertising and animation!!!!! They rock!!!

• The next step…animating the elements

• Anatomy of today’s world

• Some history

• Neon/LED signs: Times Square as elsewhere

• EXAMPLES

• H

• http://stanorrtrainparts.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/anim_signs.html (Miller Engineering)

• http://www.signsolutions.ie/led_signs.php (www.signsolutions.ie)

• http://www.brightledsigns.com/catalog/Animated_LED_Signs-448-1.html (brightledsigns.com)

• http://actionsignsandbillboards.com/ (action signs)

• Slideshow

• Two perspectives: animated signs

• http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1199432130434751273# (rotating sign)

• Last but not least…

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5MUWNPD0rw&feature=player_embedded (at the Wynn)

• http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?n=21&ei=utf-8&fr=yfp-t-948&tnr=21&p=las+vegas+strip&vid=166373360291&dt=1245913200&l=249&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts4.mm.bing.net%2Fvideos%2Fthumbnail.aspx%3Fq%3D166373360291%26id%3D06384fcfccaa659854295e55975f52b9%26bid%3DAk25MCmQ93UgxQ%26bn%3DThumb%26index%3Dch1%26url%3Dhttp%253a%252f%252fwww.youtube.com%252fwatch%253fv%253dM8jcORf7Hdg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DM8jcORf7Hdg&tit=Driving+down+the+Las+Vegas+strip+in+HD&sigr=11avdimtc&newfp=1 (driving down the las vegas strip)

•

Animation Presentation

Getting introduced

This is the start of a wonderful relationship between creativity, cyberspace, and Boggle King magic as we jump-start this blog for the sake of posting the latest (BREAKING NEWS) updates on animation development. Welcome!!!