Background Layout Assignment
This project started out with this background layout, with all of the info to animate the scene, from the camera movements to the character key positions. From here I then set about animating the full scene.
These are the initial character designs I drew out for the animation. The idea was mainly just to make cute and funny looking anthropomorphic characters with the theme of a dog messing with a cat.
I then went over to Toon Boom and drew out the initial rough animation. From here I learned that it was just too quick and didn't give nearly enough time to see the background, as well as each characters reaction.
Before retouching the animation and cleaning it up, I went over to Photoshop and finished up the background design with some photos to add texture and a pseudorealistic look between realistic images and bold cartoon block colors.
Finally it was just a process of adding some set dressing like flags to lead the eye in to where the dog will skid out. Then I cleaned up the line art and colored in the scene to finish off the animation. Editing was straight forward enough, just piecing each scene together in Premiere Pro and cut to each of the characters reactions, to extend the full scene out from 2 seconds to 8.
I have since decided to go back and rework this piece. Primarily with the background, as the realistic textured style I had previously just wasn't quite matching to the tone and feel of the characters. As well as changing the design of the flower cart to appear less bold and to not draw as much attention. To make the scene feel more realistic and natural I also added softer, more realistic shadows that are darker than begore to give that strong feeling of heat from the sun.
I am now much happier with this as a final edit of the animation, with an added scene to practice adding dialogue to a scene in Toon Boom Harmony using the automatic lip sync functionality. I feel that I've learned a lot from this project. Primarily the use of lighting to properly stage a scene and lead the viewers eye towards the action. As well as now being much more familiar with the tones and shadow effects that are available in Toon Boom.
