Acting Classes

Over the past few weeks we've been given acting classes to help with our understanding of animation. Our tutor, Dan, has been instructing us with improvisational exercises that makes us think more naturally about acting and how to apply that to animation and story telling. Since starting Dan's acting lessons I've learnt things that can be applied to character animation, such as the character's status, desires, objective and how they may act with in a certain environment or situation.

Dan in all his glory. 

Adapation B- Some Changes

When looking back over the feedback I received from the interim presentation, and I realized that I've bitten off more than I can chew for this project. So from now on I will not be making an animation short, but all the pieces that works towards creating one, sort of like the script to screen project from last year. So I hope to submit-

 

• The completed astrologer character, textured, rigged and animation ready (hopefully with a turnaround)
• Completed set for animation (seeing that I've done quite a bit of work on the sets, I might as well finish them)
• Art of document with concept and production art
• Script
• Animatic (I'd like to clean up the animatic and make a couple of small changes to the story, ready for the final presentation)

The Astrologer- Head Geometry UV layout

I spent some time clearing up the overall model of the astrologer character, then moved on to start laying out UVs. I was only able to do the head geometry for today, as the files for this character is saved onto the university computers. I hope to get the rest of the character's UVs laid out by the end of tomorrow.

The Astrologer- Adaptation B Interim Crit

The Astrologer Pitch

Animatic for the astrologer

                                       

Animation test for the prophecy birds

     

Prophecy Bird Animation Test for Adaptation B

This is a test animation for the prophecy birds in the astrologer animation. This was made in Adobe Animate (Flash) and composed in After Effects, where the two matte paintings were added to create a background and texture. Once it was composed I noticed I had missed colouring a frame and so there's a slight blink in the colours. Big thank you to Julien for helping me in after effects! 

Matte painting for the peacock 

Matte painting of the night sky

                             

The Astrologer- Character Model Finished for Adaptation B



The astrologer character model is finished, although there may be things I can tweak. I'll come back to the model tomorrow and see if there's anything to improve then I'll move onto UVs, but I'll leave that stage until after the crit of Thursday so I can get feedback on the model first.

The Astrologer- Concept Art and Expression Sheet for Adaptation B

Been working on a couple of final concept pieces for the character and the environment. Also drew a rough expression sheet, to reference from when creating the face rig and the blend shapes of the astrologer character.

The Astrologer- Modelling the Globe for the Interior Set- Adaptation B

In the astrologer's house is a wooden globe with model planets suspended above it. I have modeled most of what needs to be done of it, but there are still a couple of things to clear up on. For example I'm not confident that I've grouped parts of the model neatly in the outliner. Also the base of the globe looks a bit lumpy and uneven, so I may go back and replace it.

The Astrologer's House- Interior Concept Art for Adaptation B

This is a concept painting of the interior of the astrologers house. I hope to model and texture this set for the project. I understand it'll be difficult and time consuming, but I'll do as much as I can and hope to have it finished at some point before the end of Easter. For now I'll begin modelling the set, then move onto UVs. I want this environment to look compact and busy, also in a bit of a mess. Hopefully that will reflect the astrologer character well.

Progression of the Astrologer's House for Adaptation B

I've added more detail to the telescope so that it looks like it could work. I've also placed the house on a platform which means when the telescope is rotated on the Y axis, the house will move with it too. This platform also elevates the house and prevents the back of the telescope from crashing into the ground when pointing at the sky. I like the idea of the house moving with the telescope, as it shows how this astrologer has literally made his life around this telescope and star gazing.

Mountain Thumbnails and Studies for Adaptation B

So far I've pictured the Astrologer's home seated on top of a mountain over looking a civilisation. It's his way of placing himself above his neighbours, and into the sky to see the prophecies. I'm trying to experiment with different shapes for the mountains. I made a few silhouettes to narrow down what I want. 

The Astrologer- Modelling the House Exterior for Adaptation B

Modelling is not finished yet for the exterior of the house, and I may need Alan's help in the lesson on Thursday. I made sure that every face on the model was a quad, and so I began this model from cubes.

The Astrologer- Animatic for Adaptation B

This is my animatic for the adaptation B project. I hope this interprets what I want to achieve better than my previous pieces of work. Now this is done, I have a much better idea of what to do next.