Trajectories Fall Quarter Final Project Kinematics Analysis of Animation
Part II. Animation-due Wednesday, December 5th, week 10.
Of the two clips you analyzed, choose the one with the kinematics that are most interesting to you to base your animation on. Design a 20 second to 1 minute sequence that employs similar kinematics, and actually uses the timing of one specific motion in the original clip (just the timing-you don’t need to use the same path of action).
Conceptual design:
Consider your conceptual approach: how will you integrate the idea of borrowing another animator’s style of motion into the sequence?
Here are some conceptual approaches you could try:
1) Appropriate an action from the clip by rotoscoping it and then animate an object or character overtly imitating or mirroring it. You could experiment with different art media to do this and with different ways to shoot the rotoscoped sequence (at a slower or faster rate, in reverse or randomizing the sequence of images, for example).
2) Create an homage to the original animation: you could choose a path of action and timing from the clip and animate a completely abstract image to it, thus converting an element of narrative to something like visual music. Consider repetition, scaling the motion up or down, reversing direction or timing and other ways of making use of this detail of motion.
3) Create a character of your own that “performs” according to the laws of physics in your chosen clip. Design the character so that it is simple enough to animate well and efficiently. If you design in too much detail, it will be harder to animate.
4) Create a mini “mockumentary” that attempts to explain the laws of physics according to this clip’s universe.
5) Animate an iterative “metamorphosis” of an element of the kinematics: start with an accurate representation of an action from the original and then take it through successive generations of re-animating it, changing one element at a time until you have changed the kinematics completely (like a game of telephone).
Preproduction design:
In your sketchbook, work out a thumbnail storyboard to show what you intend to do. Refer to the data you gathered about the original clip for details of the kinematics as needed.
Choose from a range of 2d or 2 ½d techniques. This could include drawing on paper, “lightening sketch” drawings done under the camera, cut-outs, sand or paint on glass (messy media require clearing in advance with Stephanie Zorn), small object animation.
Drawing track students must include at least 6 seconds of drawn animation, so include that in your plan.
Book time to shoot in one of the 2d labs.
The sequence should be silent, and at least 20 seconds long but no more than one minute. You might want to animate individual shots separately and then edit them together. If so, consider a naming system to help you identify the different shots when completed, and make sure you export them at the same settings.
You may collaborate with another person on the animation production, but in that case the minimum duration of the sequence is 40 seconds and the maximum is 2 minutes. Each of you must complete the analysis section of the assignment individually and both of you must contribute to the making of artwork and participate in animating it.
Choose between the standard 4:3 aspect ratio (1024 pixels x 768 pixels) or wide screen 16:9 (1920 x 1080). Make this choice before you begin to create artwork.
Create layout drawings that show paths of action with movement increments and keyframes for drawn sequences. Test any new art media you may be using.
Production:
Make your artwork, including a title card with your name and the title of the work.
After shooting, review the sequence and then export it to Quicktime at 30 frames per second.
Label the completed sequence “your name_FP.mov” and copy it to the Final Project folder in our Workspace folder on Orca by 8 am, Wednesday, December 5th. Copy all your Dragon files to your cubby.
Write an artist statement with the title of your piece and your name in the header. In the statement describe your concept and the approach you took, cite the source of the clip and why you chose it and then reflect on what you hoped to achieve in doing the work and what you learned from it. Print two copies of this statement (10 point font, double spaced), one to include in your sketchbook and one to bring to class on December 5th.
Technical support:
Rotoscoping proficiencies are scheduled during Animation Workshop week 6. At that time we will also discuss other 2d techniques possible (such as sand or paint on glass).
An optional Basic Video Editing (Premiere Elements) workshop is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, week 9 during Animation Workshop time.