A Very Neglected Blog!

It dawned on me yesterday that I haven't updated my blog in forever! So this could be a rather long, or rather alot of posts.

Basically, since last time I have had alot of problems with creating my scene ready to animate. This has left me quite behind on my timescale and where i'd like to be at this present moment in time.

However, everything is now (very nearly) complete and all ready to animate and render!

I would have liked to have everything animated by now, so as i'm just needing to do a few final tweaks to improve the overall visual style of my animation. Although i'm not at this stage, I feel by the end of this week (friday) I will be; giving me all of the christmas period to add those final details, render it and put together my dvd cover designs (although I have created some from the website I will mention later already).

The last post outlines what I still have to do, alot of this is now done, and it is just the animating to be done.

I managed to get a brilliant voice to narrate my story(ies). After a few emails to various people Andrew David from Siren FM said he'd be extremely willing to help me out. As I wanted a typically british, older persons male voice, he fitted the bill perfectly.

As I was recording him reading the script, it felt as though everything had come together and it was going to complement my scene very well! He brought the whole narrative to life with a sense of passion and emotion; exactly what i'd wanted my narrator to do! So I am extremely happy! The audio file is on my website at: terrancetheturtle.co.uk (once its live) so you can have a listen :)

I'll post a few more updates in a little while with updates on terrance, the scenery, volcano, lighter and other maya scenes i've developed since the last update.

To do list updates

Things completed since last to do list:

• storyboards
• revise my scripts before recording

• record voice over (three possiblities, need to phone tomorrow to organise times, hopefully mid week!)
• change the textures on my main scene
• Add grass, clothes, possibly some trees
• found lava and volcano tutorial

And i still have to create (welcome to the STILL epic list):

• sort out the layout and design for dvd cover and menu
• promote the surveys more (cannot find any more children to do it, may take to the streets!

• create the monster and texture and rig
• create the bear/item that Terrance carries with him
• create the volcano!
• create lava
• add flames to the lighter (tutorial online)
• create the lava creatures
• create the bedroom (bed, bedside cabinet, curtains and lamp [if possible]) (MAYBE NOT NEEDED)
• drainpipes down the side of the house and [possibly] trellace
• texture and rig Terrance
• light all the scenes appropriately
• and ultimately learn and animate the whole two scenes!

More scene updates :)

Here's my further developments in maya. I feel as though i'm getting somewhere now! Finally! I still need to create the volcano and the lava and the match (which will take 2 seconds) but i've found a tutorial to do the others. I also need to rig my character but I need to sort out the problems with him first. Getting there!!

Also, i tried to create a clothes line. I got as far as a table cloth on a table...

Apparently nCloth function is very tricky!!! So if i get time/find another tutorial on how to do it for something that doesn't have a collision object I shall have a go. I also want to try and create a tree, or something similar, but I believe this uses the same function so we'll see.

Updates :D

The past week and a bit i've been using primarily to get the maya scenes, characters and elements I need to create well under way! So far I have a pretty good looking turtle (in my opinion) but it still needs rigging and texturing. A little dubious about the rigging part! I fear I may have done something wrong in creating it but we'll see when I learn how to do it.

Also when i duplicate it to give the other side, and merge and combine it, it leaves a noticeable joint line down the centre... If anyone knows how to sort that can you let me know please!

'Terrance' still needs a few tweaks, not 100% happy with him atm; but it's only minor issues!

The other thing that ive managed to complete so far is the lighter. Pretty pleased with this! Managed to get it textured aswell, so it's pretty much done :)

Dedicating, friday saturday and some of sunday to digital to try and get alot more done!

So far on my to do list I still have:

• complete storyboards
• revise my scripts before recording
• record voice over
• sort out the layout and design for dvd cover and menu
• promote the surveys more.

And i still have to create (welcome to the epic list):

• change the textures on my main scene
• Add grass, clothes, possibly some trees
• create the monster and texture and rig
• create the bear/item that Terrance carries with him
• create the volcano!
• find out how to create lava and create it
• add flames to the lighter (tutorial online)
• create the lava creatures
• create the kitchen (cooker, sides, basic cupboards, sink, table and chairs)
• create the bedroom (bed, bedside cabinet, curtains and lamp [if possible])
• drainpipes down the side of the house and [possibly] trellace
• texture and rig Terrance
• light all the scenes appropriately
• and ultimately learn and animate the whole two scenes!

I've got two contacts that are willing to do the voice overs. I'm really happy with the people i've found as they have typically english accents with great pronunciation. I have forwarded them my scripts, so i'm just waiting on a reply for the go ahead! I'm either going to record one for each of the two narratives or choice the one i feel is best suitable and use their voice for both.

My aims for the end of the week/weekend are:

Friday: Storyboards and re-texture scene, add grass and possibly clothing if I have time

Saturday: learn how to rig characters, and apply to Terrance

Sunday: Begin creating inside scenes (kitchen and bedroom)

Quick update before presentations!!!

Ok, so this afternoon I have spent all my time setting up a survey and trying to find places where children will be able to access it as I don't have access to my target audience through friends or family. So far i've only received 3 results so it obviously needs a bit more!

Here's the link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/86YTN7F

Subsequent to this I have been working upon a test file, for the lighter scene mentioned in the volcano script.

At the moment im learning how to model using nurb curves and have hit many brick walls! but so far I have this and it isn't looking too bad as a work in progress!

Work in progress:

Wireframe model:

Shaded model:

Once I have completed this I will use maya particles to create a fire effect to carry on with the narrative.

To do for tomorrow:

Create a massive list of all the aspects I still need to create and test!!!

SCRIPTS

Here's my two scripts. They took a lot longer than I had anticipated! Writing in narrative verse is a lot more time consuming than it looks!

Although I am relatively pleased with both of these scripts, they are only a draft copy and definitely not set in stone. Tweaks changes and improvements are still to be made :)

Character and Story Development

So far this week I have been prioritising my time with developing the script so I can embark upon the animation as soon as possible.

To begin with I created my character base, with everything that could possibly influence and depict this character.

Not all aspect are on here as of yet, as subsequent to updating my blog I am going to create a survey aimed at my target audience to find out what they would like from this animation. As I have already developed much of my animation it will be used to define the aspects that I am not too sure on or feel that they would be more effective if I got a first hand account of what children aged 4-9 years would like; such as what iconic item would they like him to carry, what type of humour would they prefer, etc.

Below is the character base that I've created so show the ins and out of my main character:

As you can see from the diagram, he is not an overly young character. My reason for choosing this is that children aged 4 - 9 tend to look up to older people as role models. Giving him the age of 36 enables him to be a fictional father like figure, as ultimately each narrative ends with a moral storyline, such as don't judge a book by its cover. Although the narratives are seemingly silly and totally meaningless, I wanted to incorporate some sort of education of life lesson so they are not purely for entertainment. Using this message in this way enables the story line to have a meaning and to take which ever path I wish.

This leads me on to the story development. I used the same format as before and brainstormed all of my ideas. However I tried to do them in a linear format for this part so that when I write my script my ideas are not all over the place. Generally speaking you can follow the narrative from each idea on this diagram:

As I was writing this, I realised what a mammoth task it would be to create three almost completely individual animations, only linked by my main character. Also it seemed that the other world, and the quest for the item were directed mainly towards girls and the volcano narrative towards boys; providing an unequal balance. For this reason, and due to the massive work load, I have decided to focus upon the volcano narrative and the quest for an item narrative so that the quality of my work does not suffer and I can create a much better final piece.

Which leads me on to my script in the next post...

Character

Originally i'd proposed a main character that wasn't any animal or human. I was going to mix different creatures to develop something unique to this animation.

I am still going to use this concept but apply this to something with a shell. The reason for this is because I am new to maya, therefore achieving limitless movement in a character that can bend and be manipulated in so many ways will prove extremely difficult.

Therefore, having an outer shell will still allow for a lot of movement but will make it a lot less difficult to animate the character to look natural.

I have been researching different animals and have settled upon basing my main character upon a turtle. As my target audience is quite young, this would appeal to them due to their slow and slightly daft connotations; also allowing me to create a extensive character criteria.

So far I have liked the styles of the following:

These last two images are available in many different pictures depicting the character in different angles, expressions and positions; which will provide a great reference point when animating the many varieties that I intend.

Created my first scene!

I've finally finished the scene for the search of an object! Here's some pics:

I've created most of it using polygon primitives, however, I learnt how to use curves by creating the oil drums and plant pots. I largely created these so as it would give places for the character and monster to hide in as well as the buildings. I'm pretty pleased with the way this looks, although I want to give it a little bit of 'life' and a little bit more enhanced. At the minute everything is static and still, therefore I wish to add some plants, and loose aspects that can move naturally in the breeze to bring the scene alive. Also the colours aren't quite as vivid as i'd quite like them so i'll be tweaking these a little.

The last picture depicts the view from inside a building window. I created them in this way to create interesting camera angles and to leave myself with limitless possibilities.

Found some more verse!

Ok, so when I came across this I was more entertained than anything else and I was trying to think what advert has used the theme tune. Anyway, although it's quite nonsensical and very silly;I like the way it incorporates very irrelevant things into the lyrics simply because they rhyme and how they have linked them to the story...such as Ragu. Although mine wont be as daft as this, I feel a silly sense of humour is something that will appeal to children, much like i've mentioned before. Anyway here it is, I hope it doesn't annoy you too much!

Advancements

I've been having a bit of a browse at other inspirations and I came across a spoof or another episode of Madagascar, which going by the graphics i'm guessing is broadcast on 'Nick' or as the 90's kids know it Nickelodeon.

The slapstick humour such as it opening with the fellow penguins being flattened by a door from another one of the penguins, Kowalski, exploding another invention. Soon followed by one of them touching it and getting an electric shock over acting it sending him flying across the room. I feel that this is a type of humour that my target audience would find amusing, as opposed to referenced and cryptic humour.

Also the puns within the speech are extremely obvious and childish. 'My latest creating an infra-red herring toaster....i'm guessing it wasn't infra ready yet'. Quite clearly this will also appeal to children as they will understand the humour rather than being lost with jokes aimed at an older audience possibly related to social, political or economic factors.

Links to current topics, for example when mentioning his invisibility creation another penguin questions ' why not just call it an invisibility domain' which he replies 'someone already took the domain, again the internet has faxed me'. This is much like how I want mine to be as I mentioned before, relating to current issues, so it is interesting to see another narrative use the same approach and what issues they address. Also they use a lot of technology within the narrative, such as the inventions, use of computers (in some cases the invisible ones because of the invention) and ultimately a narrative around technology and inventions.

The style is very much like what I strive to achieve also, but then a lot of animations seem to be following a naturalistic style. This perhaps indicates what audiences want, or that CGI is becoming readily available to the masses and its a case of impress audiences with special effects rather than a strong narrative? However, this influence has a narrative that will appeal to children, that does have structure: a beginning, a pivotal point (in this case the invisible ray making everything invisible) and a resolution.

In some parts the composition of the penguins with the environment and special effects aren't too brilliant, making it look more 'fake'. Although children may not pick up on this I intend to be careful with my own work as ultimately it is an assessed piece and this is not a trait that I wish to depict. Also as my target audience are young children it is highly likely that parents will be watching it too so they will pick up on this flaw.

I'm still researching so there will most likely be more updates!

Updates :)

Unfortunately I haven't been able to focus on too much this week as i've had so many other things to do but there are a few updates to mention!

I stumbled across another students work (not from our uni) whilst I was researching and it has inspired me to tell my narratives in verse rather than relying heavily upon sound effects and music.

http://animationforthenation.blogspot.com/

This will give my production pace and an interesting twist to the overall outcome. I have also focused upon my target audience, primary school children aged 4 - 9 years, so I feel that as they are at such a young age their minds are open to all sorts of information so using poetry to narrate the animation will educate them as well as entertain.

The reason for choosing this audience was because most of my background research has been aimed at around this age range, so I felt it was suitable to do the same. Also as the narratives are quite trifling I feel that this age range would find it most entertaining than any other. I am keeping it open to both males and females of all classes (due to the issue of cost as it will be a DVD, so the price will be kept low) however due to the interactivity males may stereotypically prefer it over females.

I have also partly created one of my scenes, an alleyway, that i'm slowly but surely progressing with yet I have currently hit the problem of the middle click! But i'm sure i'll over come it.

I also have 3 working ideas for the narratives: the notion of another world accessed through flying, a positive outlook/humorous on a natural disaster and mythical creatures in search of an object that the protagonist keeps losing through his clumsy nature.

I've also had a go at sketching a few characters for my main character, however none of these are grabbing me. I was going for fluffy, bear type like creatures, however having read more into animation as a whole - in particular 3D animation, I may go for a creature with a 'shell' such as an ant, toy, crab etc, as I am completely new to Maya so naturally moving a mammal that can move in so many different ways with hair and fur may be beyond my reach at the moment.

Initial Research and Ideas

My current main idea is producing a series of animated shorts around 30-60 seconds long based upon a main loveable character of whom goes on adventures based around different dreams.

So far my ideas for these mini adventures are:

- the feeling of falling

- teeth falling out

- naked in a public place and unable to put clothes on

- flying

I'd also like to undertake some primary research of strange, descriptive and physically impossible dreams that people have had to have the possibility for using these as a basis for another adventure.

So far my main inspirations and research have been into Paddington Bear by Micheal Bond published in 1958, but broadcast in 1975; due to the short charming stories and adventures that Paddington follows and how these derived.

In terms of style I thought about a 2D cut-out style, however I do not feel this would put my skills base, although possibly my creative base. Therefore I am contemplating creating a 3D scene in Maya, of which I am relatively new to but learning fast! Using this software will enable me to create a very realistic piece whilst combining the unnatural elements of the narrative, a contrast that I hope will work well!

Another production that I have an interest in, in terms of style, is Pixar's latest short animation 'Day and Night'. To depict scenes and narrative they use inverted sillouhettes of two characters' showing a very charming and entertaining narrative and animation.

Video - Day And Night - Pixar

This has inspired me to possibly create my work using a spotlight to only reveal certain parts of the scene and narrative to keep the audience 'in the dark'.

I have not decided on my audience as of yet. I'm debating between two large target groups; young children or early teens to early thirties. As I haven't decided on what the main character is going to be and what it's behaviour will be, I feel that once I have developed and created this element the target audience will come naturally.