First Animation Pice done

This is my very first piece of animation for the film.  It has taken me 2 days to do the animation and about 2 hours putting it together.

This is the first scene of Boggy looking for Derek - the opening scene (after the title).  I am happy with the results to far and relieved that finally I have something to show for all the work that has taken place so far.

I have also made a start on writing up my Dissertation.  I have outlined the contents page which in theory is a breakdown of what I need to write.

Easter Break

An update of work undertaken during the Easter Break.

This is the storyline I completed back in February.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8xs064o9ktwmxk2/Derek%20and%20Boggy%20Animation%20Script%20try%20out%202.docx

This is Bongani and George's best run through the scripts when we were in the recording studio.

https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/Geroge%20and%20Bongani%20best%20take.wav?w=AADonIy7_KTTbOZCuUvocIMvuLvS7cZQnrXb2TG_fekePg

Before the Easter Break I re-recorded Boggy's lines using my voice.  I then edited together some of George's best takes with my own to give the impression of a conversation taking place between Derek and Boggy.  Please see below uploaded file containing this material.

https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/Derek%20and%20Boggy%20Audio.mp3?w=AACzfJvQP9Bb48if_WBuWLUfNzAQyWpFL7PXOR8skuAyZg

I managed to do a quick animation of Boggy's eye's blinking.

Please note this also contains Derek blinking.

During the course project I have been in contact with an animator called Billy Allison.  He is an independent animator who has worked for various studios throughout the UK.  I first met Billy at BAF (Bradford Animation Festival) he was representing Team 17.  Our paths crossed on numerous occasions and we have been in contact via Skype for approximately 1 year now.   I would class Billy as a friend who has also acted as a Mentor for me more recently.

Now that I have finalised a successful blinking sequence for both characters along with other preparations.   It feels a relief and and achievement having spent so much time on the preparation to finally see a working piece which I will move forward with to build up my final animation. 

I will be working on the animation (Derek and Boggy) throughout the Easter Break.

Background

The Background while all in black for the most part i needed an opening shot to establish the time of day and the setting of the forest.

I wanted it to be a clear night sky with the stars and moon out and silhouettes of trees. Used the gradient tool to make the night sky going from white, light blue, dark blue and black. I made sure the gradient tool could be used in fireworks, which it can be. That is for the basic background. I did the stars as just very small white dots, trying to copy best what stars look like in the night. I used the ellipse tool to create a half moon, by putting one dark ellipse over a white ellipse. For the trees, I started looking up silhouettes of trees in a forest on the internet and I came across two png files that would fit into the image one set was a group of the same type of trees and the other a variety of different trees.  I used the first one as it seemed to fit the image better. They are both Copyright free so I can use them for my project.   I was pleased with myself that I managed to get this done within one day.  For once my basic idea came to fruition with out any real hiccups.

Opening

Silhouetted trees

http://www.clker.com/clipart-forest.html

Variant silhouetted trees

http://www.clker.com/clipart-13119.html

I tried out some panning shots using Adobe Premier for the opening shot going from the night sky to the forest. I have done two shots. I prefer the second but still have some timing work to sort out on it.  I hope to have it finalised by the end of this week.

First Shot

Second Shot

A quick update on the voice recordings.

I have re-recorded Boggy's lines with me doing the voice of Boggy.  Unfortunately Bongani's voice wasn't suitable but I will still credit him with a Special Thanks.  George wasn't available for a re-recording so I have edited some of his best takes together and now need to add them to the recording I have done today of Boggy.