Kingston University, Media Specialist Practice
Focus on: Animation.
Animated short: Job application
This project is an animated short with main objective the expressiveness, appeal and overall acting of the characters as well as storytelling. The story is about a girl applying for a job and a grumpy employer that has a different definition of skills.
Research and implementation of the 12 principles on animation had to take place on scenes that were not included in the final file before starting to work for the short. By practicing on other projects and different scenes a variety of expressions and movements was covered until the final outcome which is seen in the final story.
Character design and strong poses were studied, as well as appeal, acting and emotions.
The main purpose of this short is to unfold a story, with expressive animations, where the thoughts and feelings of the characters will be able to reach the audience and captivate the viewers attention.
Focus on the expressiveness in the eyes. The audience tends to pay a great deal of attention in this particular area.
Principles of animation as squash and stretch happen in every area of the face, affecting traits like the cheeks,mouth, eyelids, nose, as well as the head.
Objects in the scene can be translated, scaled ,or be made invisible in order to stage the shot correctly or emphasize an idea. For example if the man was to be short in the first design the office chair and desk could be scaled up to reinforce that.
Storyboard
Character Design: Contrast, Diversity, Appeal
Main expressions exercise
Lighting and atmosphere tests
Expressions
Principles of animation, Squash and Stretch takes place in the head as well as each trait specifically
Emphasize the thoughts behind the actions of the characters. That is what gives them life and makes them more believable and interesting to the audience.''The mind is the Pilot''. We act for a reason. Thinking tends to lead to emotion and emotion tends to lead to action.
Focus in the eyes of the characters. The audience is paying more attention there. If eyes are expressive there are more chances for the viewer to actually feel how the character is feeling, to care about his emotional state and identify.
Reinforce a look to each direction with a blink. It has been mentioned that a blink helps direct the look and make it more expressive.
Contrast between parts of the body. Directional force and applied force make character more interesting concerning the overall shape.
Pay attention to the line of action
Camera movement and close up shots or zoom burst can also intensify a specific look, action or expression.
Animation Test: Body movement supports facial expressiveness. It mustn't override with the facial expression. It should reinforce
Notes:
-There is motion in every part of the body
-The expressions is the main action but the body helps intensify and
direct it
-Eyes are where the viewer focus-if there is a part that work can be
done focus in the eyes
-Acting: Thinking comes first, then comes acting.
-The character should play an action until something happens to make him play a different action
-Facial expressions where you want to show sadness, excitement
or regret are strengthened with a blink of the eyes at the middle
frame
JOB APPLICATION scenes 1-27
The short is on progress
3d Models:
Caroline, https://cogswell.edu/student-projects/free-rig-downloads/
Tuna: https://www.highend3d.com/maya/downloads/character-rigs/c/tuna-for-maya-91607
