This is guide on how to reflect, as I struggle sometimes on what to write.
Reflection tips
Unit 1: Simulated Work Experience
I was assigned to a second year, Sophya Kebets. She immediately contacted me via instagram. Her work is very humorous, simple and straight to the point. I was very much excited and nervous to work with her, as I’ve never really collaborated or worked with someone on their final major project.
Initially, we got off to a strong start as we had a meeting straight away. However, Sophya may have had a little bit of a creative block – so I didn’t hear from her until a week after our meeting. Thankfully, in terms of time, the tasks that I was given wasn’t so intensive. So I was able to complete them quite quickly in the last week of simulated work experience.
I think we could have had more conversations about the story, the theme and the overall aesthetic of her final film – but that is obviously pretty dependant on the creator.
At the start of the 2 week simulated work experience, we set up a meeting on Teams to discuss what needed to be done. Initially, Sophya wanted a one point perspective line drawing. She hadn’t yet decided what colour palette she needed or wanted. The only specific things that she wanted from the background, was clean sharp lines and the size of the background to be 3000 x 1800.
Below is the one point line drawing perspective I sent to Sophya. I was thinking that she would come back with more details to add or something to change – but thankfully she said that it is fitting and I didn’t need to redo or add anything else to it.
I would have like to learn a few techniques, however I feel I would have been more of a hindrance than a helper. I honestly haven’t learnt any new techniques or skills.
The one tip that helped me out was understanding dimensions. Sophya wanted the background to be in a larger scale because she wanted the animation to pan or zoom in. That is something that I have recently learned, not necessarily on the course – but understanding aspect ratios gave me a little bit of guidance.
At this point, we had less than a week left of simulated work experience. She had asked me to collect a few colour palettes, mostly blues and maximum 6 colours per palette. She provided a descriptive reference for the colour palettes:
‘It would be the vibe of a lawyers office, but with creepy ish vibes (maybe more on the blues?)’
The colour palettes below are compiled from what I thought would fit the theme provided. The feedback I’ve been given so far is surprisingly good and Sophya seems to like what I’ve given her so far.
In terms of visual development and background work, I don’t think it completely aligns with the industry standards. Working in background and looking at the overall aesthetic theme of animation, is definitely a role that I’d like to pursue in the future. However, I don’t believe this experience has given me a real taster of what that could be like.
However, the experience was thoroughly enjoyable. I feel I was well matched with a very considerate 2nd year. Understandably, they have just started their project, so I was willing to offer any help in any way that I could.
The success of this collaboration was definitely our communication. There was always a to and fro with e-mails and at times we’d catch up at university.
I wouldn’t say there was many challenges in this experience, as I was very comfortable with the tasks provided. I guess, it was mostly nervousness on my part as I am more confident is certain areas of animation as opposed to others. At the beginning, I wasn’t sure as to what kind of person my 2nd year was and what tasks they would give me.
Taking from this experience, I’d bring hopefully provide a laid out plan of a rough story, some key beats and an initial colour palette. I would like to have a process or a project plan, so I can manage what I would need at specific stages of the timeline.
Unit 1: Lip Syncing
Lip Sync – Given Sound Clip
Initially, I was really dreading the lip sync activity and when I heard that I had to do two lip syncs – my heart sunk. However, I thoroughly enjoyed lip syncing because it added something extra to the animation. Something more relatable which allows audiences to connect with the character.
I chose the – what I call – ‘Blow’ sound clip because I immediately envisioned this young woman with a sharp chin and a business bob holding a cigarette. The initial sketch I had is depicted below:
Initial Sketch/ Plan for the phrase Design for Character
There is a lot of information about mouth shapes and phonetics, especially on the internet. I was quite overwhelmed with what direction to go in or how do I go about starting a lip sync. I really didn’t know how to plan it, so I just dove right in.
Lip Sync – Chosen Sound Clip
I decided to choose a sound clip that had been doing rounds on the internet and is coincidentally a saying that my sister repeated for days.
There are pros and cons about this clip, I’m very happy with what I produced but I should have had given the character a body and arms. The movement of the eyes and eyebrows aren’t necessarily fluid enough to read as natural movement. From these exercises I’ve learnt and understood the process of lip sync and created my own way to do it.
Tech Support: After Effects
Unfortunately, the online sessions concerning After Effects was very draining and I couldn’t concentrate at all due to the fact that they were online and not really helpful for me. So, I decided to take to YouTube and learn After Effects myself.
The Basics of After Effects
Editing Characters in After Effects
Unit 1: Body Acting
I honestly struggled with this exercise more than the others. I think it’s because I need some sort of context or storyline, it was quite difficult for me to just come up with something on the spot. I feel I lost interest in this animation and it was becoming more of chore.
I’m semi pleased with the outcome of this animation, I do like the ‘creepy’ aspect of the floating head and hand reaching out of nowhere. However, I feel I could have done a lot better. Honestly, it was quite draining – so I’m unsure on whether to redo this.
Character Dump 001
Things I find on the internet
The ‘Monsters, Inc.’ gag – where Mike is always covered by something. It’s the cherry on top for his character.
Genius Loci (2020) – I believe it is Oscar nominated, but I love how this animation is painted with the most simplest and thinnest lines.
A Street of Books – Unknown artist, have no clue whether it is an animation or just a still image.
Life Drawing 002
Drawing my Dad
So, I asked my Dad to do various poses with certain expressions. I wanted to see if I could emulate these expressions and have the images to look like they came from the same person. I think that is what I find difficult, a character changing expressions or anticipation. My linear drawings are quite bold and are straight to the point, but my paintings are very suggestive. I like the suggestive-ness of these images and wonder if the paintings itself could lean into animation.
Texture vs Line
The original line drawing is simplistic but allows for suggestion, I wouldn’t say it’s flat – but, I find it difficult to understand a change of expression or the head at different angles. The painting allows for the imagery to have some depth and possible movement. I feel this would work as I really like this style and it might be refreshing to animate.
Life Drawing 001
This was my first experience at online life drawing at CSM. It was a very new experience, at first I wasn’t fond of the structure of the sessions – as they were very long winded. Vanessa’s sessions were absolutely amazing and me to look at the line of action in movements. I would however, like a more realistic way of moving – so I could replicate that in my animations.