Yes, Yes, Yes, No Project

It's been a while since I last blogged. Just over 2 months! Shameful. So here's the big update on the project. We've finished our production bible, animatic and are in the process of beginning contruction of the actual animation.

So...the details.

SYNOPSIS

Our story revolves around a Girl in her early 20s, on her way home after a day shopping. She is new to the city and is happy to walk around by herself and discover new sights and sounds.  Eager to explore she doesn’t mind getting lost and is naïve to the hazards and dangers of city life. Her inexperience, youthfulness and laidback attitude is present in her appearance and makes her an easy target to any onlooker. This is ultimately her downfall as she has become the obsession of a social outcast. A recluse, favouring privacy and seclusion; he uses CCTV cameras to interact with the world. Using moving spider –like cameras he takes obsession to the next level. Stalking her unknowingly, he creates elaborate plans and diversions to lure her to his home and her ultimate demise.

PRODUCTION INSPIRATION

We chose to combine 2D and 3D animation to utilize our individual strengths. Sebastian for instance has a vast knowledge of 3D software, Chris is extremely capable at 2D animation and I am good at Art Direction and design concepts. With this is mind we specifically looked at animation incorporating this method.  We found that “Black Water Gospel”, “Mighty Antlers” and “Rumbleseat” all incorporated this and eventually became our group style influence. In particular, we adopted “Mighty Antlers” use of creating depth. They added flat painted background designs to 3D created blockthroughs to create the illusion of space; meaning ultimately less modelling and more time spent animating. (See example above)

As well as the way in which the animation should be made, we also looked at how it should be shot in terms of cinematography. This is a particular interest of mine and I found Nick Levesey’s title sequence for Hannibal to be of great value; in terms of the way he uses extreme angles, close ups  and quick cuts to create suspense and pace. (See right)

INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTION

My main role within the development process was the Art style direction and production of characters, concept art and background designs. I did in the early stages of pre-production create the original storyboard using a mixture of photographs taken from Falmouth Town and hand drawn images. However after the 1^st animatic (we had 4 altogether) we decided to film entirely without live-action and Sebastian and Chris took control over the creation of the animatics. To help them however, I drew up most of the images used
to create the animatics/ storyboards, whilst Chris animated the scenes and Sebastian focused on the modelling. For the 4^th animatic Seb used 3D blocking (something we will be doing for our final animation) to help us see the interaction between the girl and her environment. I used the scenes he developed as reference for improving angles and perspectives and gave rotoscoped images back to Chris to be added to the final animatic. (Below are a few)

Once I’d finish help create background shots, I began work on character designs and concept art. Although I consider myself to be an able drawer, I struggled to get away from realistic drawn characters into the more stylised forms that were required. This is evidenced in the amount of designs I drew up before reaching my final design.

GIRL

MAN

CONCEPT ART