Life Is Simple. It's Just Not Easy.

To dream is to fall into chaos upon a spiraling whirlwind of untainted diminishment as the bow breaks and the cradle falls unto the ocean we hold so deep. I worry, worry incase I am a demon. No Callum. You are a demon! The woman's whose womb is too slack can give birth easier in the same sense that a homosexual can strain less when defecating his life into the cesspool of emotion and bodily escape. We have no chance to survive, we must make our time. Someone

UCAS

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Work Research

SWOT Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats : Self Analysis

What's Done Is Done.

First and foremost, although not an avid viewer of his work, I just want to show that I do have a heart and say how much of a shame it was for British Animator, Edd Gould, creator of "Edds World" to pass away today, anyone whose been a situation which involves cancer knows the severity of it and knows just how life changing it is either to the person involved or family. Edd was a talented animator and it's a damn shame for someone quite so young and talented to die in such instances. If you can, show your support and with that, just make the most of what you have in the small time on this fragile little planet you have.

Onto more work related aspects as to not dwell in upset and events gone by, I've decided to re-title the animated short, "Choke" I wonder why? In any case, I do actually like this concept and I'll probably keep it, it's vibrant, comical and gets across the meaning of the animation with its presentation alone, comical and bright though with a dark under-lining humour represented by the darker coloured gradient in the word, "Choke". 

I don't know why I'm pretending to be deep and meaningful about my work, I did it because I thought it looked nice, that's all. 

We also have some more pencil tests, this one I think worked out all right, nothing special though I think that the rotation in Piper's head will do, I could line up each detail (and trust me I am tempted) but as I said in my last post I'm now left with 7 weeks and an attitude towards my work which I hate whereby I have to go, "It'll do". If there's any advice to give with this, just make sure you have a solid idea from the get-go, if you don't, it causes problems down the line, like you're seeing now, because that horrendous sense of panic is starting to surface... And I HATE panicking about my work. 

We Live In A Rainbow Of Chaos.

You know what's cathartic? Knowing that you have a small, little idea which you're actually pleased with!
Can you believe that I've fully concluded the reworked idea? And I'm actually happy with it!! The new premise is easier to execute, more comical and all in all, a bit more... Me.

There are about 10 new storyboards. the good thing is, animation is mainly prominent within lip syncing and that's pretty straight forward depending on how I go about it, I could make a series of standard faces with different mouth movement on each and just sync it up digitally, or do it all traditional, I'm more tempted by the former since, well... It's easier.

Scene 1, the opening scene is well is under way, backgrounds, although not as I'd like them are at a stage where I can go, "It'll do" and use them. "It'll do" isn't a commonly used quote I say, in fact, I never say it. It's only after meeting Illustrator Paul Hess that brought about this sense of having importance in drawing a line with your work, I explain to Mr. Hess that I am a perfectionist and it was great having an individual from industry being able to relate to the issue's that I'm constantly met with. He explained that you should draw the line, that you do need a life outside of work and that although you, yourself may not like the standard of work, the viewer's or in this case, audience will think differently and it's relaxing to a degree knowing this. Backgrounds are a contrast to animation and you'll find that a detailed background allows for bold character animation to stand out more... If you didn't already know, not only that but working with backgrounds is, like I've said, something i'm really not keen on, next to 3D animation, it isn't my strong point but I like to think that I'm getting there.

So, back to the point about work.

With there being 10 storyboards each consisting of 9 images that's about 90 scenes accounted for, thankfully, not many of them are really in depth... In fact, I've worked it so that it focuses on loops and drawn out scenes which don't require allot of animation, lazy, but it's really getting there and knowing this is great!

As to date this is the end of the 8th week and that IS scary but I'm thinking that yeah, I should be sound if I stick at it and really just grit my teeth... Easier said than done. Finally, here's 3 tests of the same animation, why 3? Well, let me elaborate.

With Test 1, I did exactly what I usually do, took pictures of pictures and made them move. I captured on 2's with each image and I think you can see that although somewhat smooth, it takes to long to get from one emotion to the other, especially considering that the emotional shift includes shock and when you think of shock, you think, "BAM!" it's instantaneous, shock isn't a slow build up, it's a hit to the system and this first test was missing that. 

Test 2 took the frames from Test 1 and reworked them to achieve a greater sense of emotional shift from A to B, whereas before the transition was smooth, here it's erratic and Piper is put on edge in an instant instead of having a slow build up. What's good is that frames were taken out and the overall animation benefits from the lack of frames, makes the job SO much easier.  

Test 3 brought the timing of Test 2 and rounded it off with the last few frames, I'm actually pleased with the outcome and it's nice to know that my skill as a traditional animator is slowly improving and it's nice to see the ball slowly moving but it's a hobby and to be able to pursue a career in something I love is something only few can brag about.

A Dose Of Adversity Is Often As Needed As A Dose Of Medicine.

Well, not going to lie, it has taken a small while to complete but I'm satisfied with the results of this long, panning scene, this isn't the finished version, the black interval between the tree tops and field are to act as a title introduction so a bit more will be added there. I am pleased with the results but satisfied? No, but I'd be sat for a long time if I was to try and amend every single flaw and I wouldn't get finished, so for now, I'll have to knock it on the head. 

Water Which Is Too Pure Has No Fish

Due to the fact I work better at home, I've managed to conjure up allot of work today, backgrounds, something which I tend to be terrible with, are actually coming along all right, again, nothing amazing but I'm gradually learning and getting there and although unfinished, the idea of what they represent is noticeable.

This first establishing scene has so far been my favourite piece to work on, purple rock formations and detail really remind me of the work of Doug Tennapel for some bizarre reason, though Tennapel himself is an animator and illustrator whose work I greatly admire. The UFO is a nod to the work of a very good friend of mine, check out her blog! http://ingrid-daisy.blogspot.co.uk/ 

I'm in two mind frames as to whether or not I'll leave this the way it is, chances are I'll add a small amount of detail to tops of each tree set and have the detail dimmer the further down it goes, what I quite like here is that the tree's seem to represent their own land scape of mountainous regions, I'll throw in a few subliminal messages later on... Maybes. 

It all descends into this... This... Mess... This is how the last two images originally started out, blocky, ugly arrangements like this, but getting into the finer detail of it all is unbelievably cathartic, some nice music and left to your own experimentation, thing is, I just hate it how I'm not always in the mood for stuff like this.

So with all of these pieces, how does it meld together? Well, although it's all nowhere near finished, it will look round about something like this...

This will all be imported into Adobe After Effects, looking at it, I'll make the black transition slightly longer,  just to emphasise a sense of descent, but so far I'm happy and I plan on adding more to the scene, mainly to give it life... It should hopefully pay off... Hopefully.

When In Danger Or In Doubt, Run In Circles, Scream And Shout!

Happy Mothers Day! Don't know about you but I made my Mam cry with the sweetest words ever conceived... "Fuck you". In all seriousness though I did near that pinnacle of making my Mother cry by telling her how much I think of her, next year... She'll fall into cardiac arrest due to upset, that's the goal.

So what about today? Well, I pursued in trying to produce some backgrounds for my animation, more detailed and less Chuck Jones, more ME so to say, now backgrounds are something I haven't had allot of experience with so the final outcome wasn't anything outstanding but it's a start, and I think i'm getting there slowly, but surely.

This first attempt was abysmal, I don't know what I was after, the line work and detail were especially horrendous, so I scrapped it, it was ugly to look at and honestly, I knew I could do better. 

So I gave it another shot, I think this is all right, nothing amazing but a start, I'd like to try and get the backgrounds all like this so that the line work and backgrounds well and truly contrast each other unlike before where, let's be honest, it looked a mess.

Speaking of line work, I did another line test, I enjoyed it too! There are some issues I have to fix up, detail isn't consistent, mouth movement can be cut down which will help but the more I do these little video's the more I realise I get more enjoyment out of a simpler premise, I want Piper to carry the story but I'm still baffled as to how it'll conclude, like I think I've said, I want this to be a singular character arc, nothing more, once the animation's done, its over and I'll never re-use the character's, it's not much of an issue...

But it is to me...

Furthermore, I realise that the sound is a bit... Shoddy, if I can, I'd like to get ahold of an actual recording Microphone, they're about £100 but it just means I can get clarity without much noise or "wind". Also! For those interested, I've started back tracking through my blog, making adjustments, adding things, it's getting there, it's by no means professional, but it's not meant to be, it's here to be enjoyed and gazed upon, sure I had to make it for college but I've got a relatively high view count so even if it's just a few people skimming through, its at least something. 

What people don't realise is, is that with a blog, you're one of a thousand bottles in the ocean, and if you're lucky, someone'll pick you up and you'll get those 5 seconds of fame you lavish over.

Anyone Who Isn't Confused Really Doesn't Understand The Situation

Every attempt at publishing a post I've made, I always think, "Nah..." mainly because it's only recently that I've pulled myself out the gutter which is life.
What some may find hard to believe is that I honestly can't wait for the next 8 or so weeks to pass... That's not hard to believe at all... The idea of waking up in the morning and not having that idea of a soon to be deadline looming ever closer is something words alone cannot describe, though I am taking up a third year in education, I don't know where about's I'll end up.

So as with most things in life, there has been change... In regards to my work, more change.
You see I noticed something, what I was producing, wasn't me... It happens. You ever had it when you're aching for an idea and you know what you want, you just don't know how to get it and when you do get it, it's not what you wanted? Something like that. What I narrow it down to, is that it was me trying to "fit in", what I've noticed is that I had tried to follow a style which was appreciated by other people but not me, the course I'm on, although good, does favour more contemporary approaches to design and honestly, that medium of work has and probably never will infatuate me, although simplicity is a saving grace at times, especially in terms of animation, it isn't the be all and end all as many people and even festivals have given the impression of, the contemporary art industry is without a doubt an incredibly bias one and being someone who never took an interest in art but more so on the expression of idea's, then I can honestly say from a grounded perspective that what people consider, "art" I consider a 4-year old drawing, this of course is my own opinion and chances are, someone thinks my drawing's are abysmal, which by all accounts I'd agree, they are, but contemporary "artists" get far more credit then they deserve. I realise I've slipped off topic but as many who know me are aware, the art industry as a whole is one which now, really makes me question whether or not talent and drive are prominent, this of course doesn't apply to everyone, but a majority. Going back to what I was saying, I decided to once again change my idea, each and every module has signified a change and I'm glad to say this is the last but ironically it's the one in which I'm most sound with.

The story this time around is of just Piper and Hapless and even those names are in the air as to whether or not they'll change, Piper isn't an elephant shrew anymore, why? Because people know what a Rat is more so than what an Elephant Shrew is and therefore know what's what. The premise this time around is that Piper is trying to negotiate to be kept alive, he's been captured and about to be cooked, unlike before he again is the central drive, his characteristics are more satirical and allot more miserable which I'm sure many agree, is perfect for me. As I'm writing this I'm piecing together a more up-to-date script and the only set back i'm having is in regards too the end, typical. What you may have noticed is that Piper now talks, up until this point, no one spoke, so it's interesting to start and play around with lip syncing, especially considering Dragon Stop Motion makes the whole situation of syncing movement surprisingly easy. 

What I have in mind, is that Piper is quite well spoken, I think it works well, since he's miserable, I just made him say the only thing which made sense, "I Hate You", I recorded myself, lined it up and gave it a bash, fun? Definitely. 

Furthermore, would you believe that I'm going back to the old Humpty Dumpty Idea? A second short, nothing much, but it's something, what's more, I'm thinking about going back to my 3D module as well, this is all very ambitious so I'm still hesitant as to whether or not I can do it all, especially after my last run in with 3D, it wasn't too pretty, though since then I forgot the majority of things so I downloaded a model just to practice with, it would make sense just to use it but what would I gain out of it? Nothing.

I've been mainly experimenting with making
clothes and exaggerating body types.

I'm contemplating on either a design like this, or a homage to the Playstation 1 era, either way I'm hoping I can get it done, mainly so I have some knowledge under my belt about 3D design, it's therapeutic making model's, at least to me, you can really just go for it and the problem solving aspect is resolved in one way or another... Usually another. 

Experience Is What You Get When You Don't Get What You Want.

So despite the fact that I'm slowly easing in and out of blog posts, I like to keep using quotes as my header's, just adds a nice bit of personal flair I think to an otherwise bland blog. Though truthfully, it's a quote I've come to love since it expresses allot of what I experience (I wonder if you can guess where this is leading too), fact of the matter is, from day 1 I've never been totally content with my idea, I have a bizarre view on work and prefer singular story arcs which are established and resolved and that's certainly something I want to have established with my character's, I've constantly been back and forth between idea's and it's not because I'm indecisive, it's that I always see fault with my work and how it could be improved, in a way it's a blessing and a curse in the sense that yes, I'm always out to strive for the best result but that project rarely ever see's the light of day.

So, what am I getting at exactly?

Well, I've decided to just tell the story differently, change a couple of bits and bobs but make the project more personal, what I found with my old work was that it just wasn't ME, I was trying to pursue a standard of work which didn't suit my creative expression and I know that sounds completely and totally smarmy but when you finish a piece of work, sit back after a week and go back to it with fresh eyes and instead of looking forward to pursuing it, dread it and see it as shit, well... There's a problem.

My new approach consists of shortening the script, making less work for myself but making it short, simple and easy to follow and honestly, that bit more sadistic. In conjunction to this I'm also hoping to get some old projects off the ground and done, nothing big or fancy, simple and straight forward, such as the 2.5D Humpty Dumpty Animation... I'd also REALLY like to get a 3D piece done if possible since it's not my strong point but I'll just see how it all pans out.

I'll have to throw onto the blog sooner or later, I keep meaning to back track, I really want to fix this blog, it's just horrendous. Me and my fancy words.

So, I have until May 11th to get everything sorted... Am I ready?

Sometimes Life's Hell. But Hey! Whatever Gets The Marshmallows Toasty.

Today I handed in my module for AD206, it was, without a doubt an enjoyable. The problem being that by the time I started on the frames, it was during the beginning of the week so I had a week to try and get as much as I could done, I really pushed myself, cut myself off from college and people in general and stayed in my room, the last week I've just lived off of crap at its absolute finest!

I have a bin bag next to me, full of paper from during the week... I went through a damn bit but the results were satisfactory, from roughs, to line tests to the fina- well okay, the final result wasn't what I wanted but it's a start... Not a very good one, but a start none the less.