#melaniedo

[mixedmediaanimation]

VIV

Director - Talia Gnessin Editor - Melanie Do Producer - Jesse Zand Sound Mixer - Mess

Director - Talia Gnessin 

Editor - Melanie Do

Producer - Jesse Zand

Sound Mixer - Mess 

[mixedmediaanimation]

Reading Reflection #8

Design for Motion, by Austin Shaw, Chapter 20: Character-Driven Design Boards

Motion design is considered a short form of storytelling but yet it works because of how the nature of a character can be expressed through their motions. The design of a character can be important because it is what they will look like in your story. It helps to first create a written profile of the character. It will guide the animator in the way towards creating this character on screen. In the beginning, sketches of the character should be freely drawn in order to help the animator come up with ideas of creating the appearance of the character. It’s always fun to create characters so being creative in the process will help.

The Animation Bible, by Maureen Furniss, Chapter 3: Pre-production

Before the project starts, a pitch of your story needs to be made. After a successful pitch is when pre-production begins. It will be easier to start with a rough script to at least have somewhat of an idea of the plot. A storyboard can then be created so the animator can have a more visual idea of the story. While thinking about what the story will look like, it is important to think about what the story will sound like. Timing is also an aspect to consider all around. After all the details of the project is thought through, then production can finally begin.

Animation, by Andrew Selby, Chapter 5: Production

The beginning stages of animation did not include much technology. With a very simple magic lantern or kaleidoscope, a story can be told through animation. Hand drawn pictures is also another simple animating method. Then moving forward in animation, more methods were invented as technology advanced.

[mixedmediaanimation]

VIV: Progress Report #4

Three Festivals: 

New Media Film Festival can be a festival we can consider because Viv tells a compelling story about a young girl’s fascinating imagination. It is sponsored by organizations such as EyeCare4Kids, Toys for Tots, Women’s Empowerment, etc.  

San Diego International Kids’ Film Festival is another venue that Viv can shine. It’s all about kids! http://sdkidsfilms.org/Home.html

Los Angeles International Student Film Festival will be a good fit for us to submit Viv. This festival allows awards for winning student films in order to help the students fund their film while in school. http://lastudentfilmfest.com/#intro

[mixedmediaanimation]

Reading Reflection #7

Understanding Comics, by Scott McCloud

Chapter 1: Setting the Record Straight

Comics is a form of art that that contain a combination of ideas and images. It is a type of mixed medium. It cannot be defined by one single medium. Each artist, alike in filmmaking, has a different taste in style. Each comic is unique as its own creation and to its own story. McCloud tells us to never mistake message for the messenger. Animated film is “visual art in sequence.” The difference between animated film and comics is that space does for comics what time does for film. The term “comics,” means the juxtaposed pictorial and other images in deliberate sequence, intended to convey information and/or to produce an aesthetic response in the viewer.” It is basically sequential art. The invention of printing paved the way for all books, comics, etc. to be distributed in large amounts. “Pictures in sequence” is an art form that can convey a story or a message, but the official name of “comics” was hard to come by in the beginning.

Chapter 2: The Vocabulary of Comics

McCloud says that “words are abstract icons.” That makes sense in terms of comics. Comics can tell us a story using images in sequential order as well as words to justify a sound. Words come in handy especially because there are no sounds that come out of a page of pictures. There is a sense of universality in cartoons. As much as an image looks like a cartoon, there can be more defined by this image. In a way, a cartoon face is recognizable to all of us because it does not look like one exact person. A cartoon can be as simple and basic as can be, yet tell a story.

[mixedmediaanimation]

Progress Report #3: VIV

Project Description:  Our portrait tells the story of the all-powerful three year old, Vivian: Viv, for short. Viv’s favorite color is red. Viv’s favorite food is oatmeal. Viv’s favorite thing to play with is a tool kit. Viv has magical powers that let her shoot ice from her hands. Viv eats unicorn poop. Viv is very scared of flies. Viv can breathe underwater. Viv gets hurt sometimes, and then gets over it. 

Through animating Viv’s voice, our project aims to show the simplicity and lightheartedness that comes from being an infant. The artistic style will be limited to simple and clean line drawings. We will incorporate newspaper and magazine cut outs to hint at the things that evoke emotion in adults  (war, government, trump, etc). Viv is going to be represented as a dandelion throughout the animation, hinting towards both thematic spheres of growth and childhood. At the end of the film, Viv will blow on the dandelion, ultimately symbolizing the future and the inevitable loss of childlike innocence we all have. This will also nod towards the idea of being inspired by Viv, through the spread of the dandelion seeds, to put things in a more positive perspective.

Mooooooooood Board:

Team Roles: 

Everyone on the team is going to have a part in the production process, but the roles represent the focus/strengths of each. 

K: Sound J: Producing M: Editing T: Art Director

Discussion Regarding Potential Conflict and Problem Solving:

The group has committed to being SUPER communicative with one another, so we know what’s going on (if someone can’t make it, needs extra help, messed up). We hope that through constant/productive communication habits we can avoid most problems that could arise and create tension. We will also make sure to try not to silence anyone’s artistic vision: we all have very similar ideas in some ways, and drastically different in others. The goal will be to find a balance between ideas and suggestions so that all four voices can be heard.

Work Inspiring Us:

[mixedmediaanimation]

Reading Reflections #6

Design for Motion, by Austin Shaw, Chapter 17: Type-Driven Design Boards

In type-driven design boards, the use of typography is important. It acts as a communicator. According to Shaw, typography is “the art of designing and setting words for visual communication.” Typography is a pretty essential part to graphic design. Most motion designers understands the fundamentals of typography. Typography has been influenced by culture throughout the years and will continue to be influenced. There are many typography styles including our most familiar, Serif or Sans Serif. Some principles that motion designers are expected to know include tracking and leading. There are various ways to play with fonts. It all depends what kind of look you’re going for in your project.

Design for Motion, by Austin Shaw, Chapter 8: The Outer-Eye

When making a pitch, it is important to be well prepared. It is strongly advised to have a great deal of visual ideas to be able to sell your pitch. A mood board is helpful in looking for visuals that is inspiring your project. It can aid you in finding a direction for your project. Written treatments are the next step. It can help put down and solidify some ideas. It may help you pave your way in starting the project and be used as a backbone to the idea.

The Animation Bible, by Maureen Furniss, Chapter 10: Stop-motion Animation: A Survey of Techniques

Stop-motion paved the way for the world of animation.  But in terms of 2D animation, stop-motion created a whole new world. There are so many different ways to create animation with stop-motion. There is a great deal of materials that can be used to create amazing animation. Paper cutouts are the most basic material to use in stop motion. Stop motion was the traditional and most simple way to animate. Though simple, it can be tedious at points.

[mixedmediaanimation]

The Traveler 

[mixedmediaanimation]

Assignment #2: Two Worlds

In this story, we follow the journey of an animator turned vice principal. While getting through each day’s busyness, Mr. B imagines himself in an animated world. He lives in a world in his head where everything seems to be animated. He dreams of being at work as in being in a story. Ultimately, he lives in another world to help him face and get through his day by day complications.