Digital Sketchbook
Week 18:
Exploratory Practice: Character Animation Unit Brief launch: with Su Lynn
Initial concept exploration:
Initial Research Assignment: My Presentation
Concept exploration:
What topics have looked at so far and how will that link to my current work:
Foundation work: 1. Human connection and the importance of connection through the senses 2. Overlap of the conscious and unconscious 3. our psychological connection to the sky
Hiding places: forests frequent motif in children’s fairy tales, being lost, magic, exploration and potential danger as well as mystery and ‘other worldliness’
Frankenstein Lives: Our connection to knowledge, creation and ideas being left behind
CONCLUSION:
After analyzing these projects and looking at how they intersect and show patterns in my main themes, I’ve developed an awareness that my ideas mainly link to my inner-self. I look at my internal fears, how my dreams link to my unconscious mind and how my senses connect to certain places and events in my foundation projects. I then go on to investigate future my connection to nature in my local forest and question humanity’s nature in this course. To put it simple, my projects are about uncovering questions I have about myself.
Chosen theme to start my project: Connection to nature
Reflection
After considering the advantages and disadvantages of my three options, I decided to combine ideas from the first two options to strengthen my development and explore deeper topics. From concept 1, I will focus on the topic of healing, while I will choose the topic of grief, specifically the grief of losing oneself, from concept 2. My starting point will be exploring the connection between nature and these topics, delving into ideas such as building a relationship with oneself, incorporating nature into designs, and using nature as a metaphor for healing. I will consider which aspects of nature could be a unique and effective way to support the concept of healing.
Why this topic?: This theme is about my experiences with identity struggles. I grew up in Hong Kong, but since moving to the UK, I have never felt like I fit anywhere. However, I found that nature is a universal theme that transcends cultural boundaries. It allowed me to embrace who I am and didn’t make me feel alone. Connecting with nature is like returning to your roots. I returned to Hong Kong last year after ten years. My childhood island was forever changed, but despite the changes, the trees I used to climb were now cut back, and the hills that I used to slide down, now overgrown, all looked familiar.
How connection to nature links to my past projects
Challenges:
- Technical Challenges: Animating nature and organic elements with realism and detail can be technically challenging and time-consuming, requiring expertise in animation, modeling (3D work is still up for debate), and texturing. As well as considering whether I’ll integrate hand drawn textures and so on – to combat this, I will experiment as much as I can and incorporate it into my work to create interest
- Resource Intensive: Creating high-quality animations that incorporate nature may require significant resources, including time, access to specialized software, materials and equipment – to help I will make sure I plan out what exactly I need for the production process and see if materials are available
- Narrative Balance: Balancing the visual spectacle of nature with compelling storytelling and character development can be a delicate process, requiring careful attention to pacing, structure, and thematic coherence – I will keep in mind the ethics and emotional impact it may have on my audience by sharing the developments of my work and getting feedback
- Risk of Cliché: Nature-themed animations run the risk of falling into clichés or stereotypes if not executed with originality and depth, potentially undermining the emotional impact and artistic integrity of the work – to solve this I want to create a narrative that is unique but also very relatable
Inspirations/Visual Research
Character design
Character designs key points: round organic shapes, subtle textures,earthy color palette, floral/leaf motifs, fluid line-work, symbols of growth
Environment design:
Environmental design key points: Symbolic Imagery – Infuse the environment with symbolic imagery and motifs that resonate with the themes of renewal, growth, and interconnectedness. Incorporating visual symbols such as spirals, circles, vines, and roots that convey the cyclical rhythms of life and the enduring bonds that connect all living things. Botanical Diversity – Introduce a diverse array of plant life and flora that enriches the environment with texture, color, and variety. Showcase flowering plants, towering trees, delicate ferns, and vibrant blooms that create a vibrant tapestry of life and growth in the surroundings. Earthy Color Palette – Embrace an earthy color palette inspired by the hues and tones of the natural landscape. Use warm browns, rich greens, soft blues, and muted earth tones to evoke a sense of warmth, harmony, and connection with the environment, fostering emotional resonance and visual cohesion
Technique
Technique key points: watercolor textures (unsure whether to have my backgrounds/characters purely watercolor or have a overly/digital texture), Painterly style in blender (useful for backgrounds), Indian ink (could import textures to digital). Need to consider whether I will use 3D models to aid my environments and maintain consistency that I was able to do in the Frankenstein project.
Style
“The Firebird Suite” segment in “Fantasia 2000” prominently features themes of nature, renewal, and transformation. The story revolves around the awakening of a forest spirit after a devastating forest fire, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and the regenerative power of nature. This thematic focus aligns closely with the themes of nature and growth in my project so far.
Style key points: I want my style to be complex (complex/dynamic compositions?) but also simple and easy on the eyes. I think having fluid line work would help enhance the beauty of the animation. As always I will be using a neutral palette but also making the colors bright and engaging. I want to have a painterly feel to my work (watercolor or gouche effect) – maybe overlying many textures over animations like I learnt in my AE toolkit 5.
Other inspirations library
Initial character designs
Reflection
My first character sketches. I think these are pretty successful and the way I drew them with similar but different characteristic works because they look varied but coherent, like characters in the same universe. I achieved this by keeping a similar colour scheme, round shapes and shading, and varied it by making them have separate unique traits, such as different plants growing from their head. In the future of this project, I will definitely use some of these designs as I think they’re very unique and link to my style. I will experiment more with characters next week.
Visit to Kew Gardens: Orchid Festival
Reflection
Last Thursday, I visited Kew Gardens with some friends to attend the orchid festival. It was an incredible experience to witness rare plant life and admire the impressive sculptures created for the exhibit. I drew inspiration from the sculptures because they were crafted entirely out of plants and various species found in Madagascar, connecting nature to other life forms such as moths, monkeys, lemurs and chameleons. This motivated me to think about unique ways I could create my own pieces using natural elements around me. I am considering making models out of plants, using them in stop motion, and then editing them into digital media. My next steps involve collecting interesting items from nature and utilizing them to build something new. There is a nearby forest that I want to explore for this purpose, but I won’t harm the environment in any way. I’ll only use things that have already fallen off plants or trees.
My trip to Kew gardens does link well with Nils-Udo’s work, perhaps I could also draw inspiration from them as well.
Sketches
Experiments
Reflection
These experiments have been inspired by what I saw at Kew. I found it interesting how the plants I collected brought out the characteristics of the little bugs. The petals did a great job mimicking the wings, and I had a lot of fun playing with the intricate details in nature. I manipulated them in some places to achieve new shapes and textures. In my final animation, I plan to incorporate the textures of nature and overlay them. I will look into artists who use this technique in exciting ways and research how they apply it.
Concept development
Drew some thumbnails of potential character designs. Picked out wild flowers in my garden that were going to be mowed down. Doing these sketches using real plants has inspired me to incorporate real plants into my characters, this concept is very ambitious and may not be able to do a lot of characters/creatures but I’d like to at least experiment.
Inspiration
Research: Narrative idea
When coming across broken ceramics mended with plants it unlocked a memory I had with my Granddad when I was little. He loves the garden and spends a lot of his time, planting and replacing shrubs and flowers – he always says he works on the garden to pass the time, but I always believed he did it because he felt closer to himself when he was in nature. One day I kicked the ball into one of my granddads pots which left it smashed on the ground, he said it was fine and placed the smashed pieces using soil to stick them together – after a couple years the cracks allowed plants to grow all the way down the pot similar to the examples – instead of just replacing the pot – it allowed the plant to grow in a new way.
Concept development
Story concept thumbnails
Reflection
As a starting point, I want to create a story about connecting with nature and personal transformation. To achieve this, I plan to design a character that embodies these themes and undergoes physical and emotional growth throughout the story. I envision my character as a combination of human and nature, with its body gradually transforming into a form that reflects its connection with the natural world. Perhaps growing flowers?
I draw inspiration from Beatrice Woods, a pottery artist whose work is deeply influenced by nature and spirituality. Woods believed that art had transformative power and that there was a connection between creativity, spirituality, and nature. My animation project will explore similar themes of interconnectedness with nature, personal growth, and the search for meaning and inspiration. I also want to explore Alice Wood way of working, weaving leaves together to create interconnection.
A pottery motif could be an exciting part of the story because it is created by shaping, firing, and glazing raw clay. This transformation from raw material to a finished vessel can be seen as a metaphor for personal growth, resilience, and self-discovery. As the pottery undergoes a series of changes to become a beautiful and functional object, the characters in the story may undergo their transformative journey.
The symbolism of Kintsugi, a Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery with molten gold, is relevant to my project, as it represents the journey of healing and renewal after experiencing brokenness. However, instead of using gold, I want to utilize natural elements, such as a plant wrapping its roots around the broken pieces, to symbolize the mending process. This process will then inform the characters’ purpose and artistry.
My initial ideas
- Plant/human hybrid characters
- Pottery motif
- the characters growth is the central point of the story – physical + emotional change
My first story line idea (might change later)
The story revolves around a pottery artist who struggles with inner turmoil and creative blockages reflected in their artwork. As the story progresses, the artist becomes overwhelmed by external pressures and distractions. A significant event occurs when the artist accidentally breaks a cherished piece of pottery a deceased family member created. This event leads to self-reflection and transformation. The protagonist embarks on a journey. They discover a hidden clearing filled with the beauty and imperfections of the natural world. The story follows the protagonist's quest for self-discovery and artistic renewal amidst nature's splendor. they become aware of the imperfections of nature, such as seeing a broken butterfly wing or cracks in the soil. Through moments of reflection and communion with nature, they begin to mend the broken pieces of their pottery, using elements from the environment, such as roots, soil, and flowers. As they repair the pottery, they also mend their spirit, embracing the imperfections and scars that make them unique. Through the transformative power of nature and the art of pottery-making, the protagonist experiences a profound sense of growth, acceptance, and connection to the world around them. Ultimately, the protagonist emerges from their journey with a newfound purpose and inspiration, ready to face life's challenges and uncertainties with courage and resilience. The story concludes with the protagonist's artwork reflecting the beauty and wisdom they have gained from their journey, symbolizing the cyclical nature of growth and renewal in art and life.
Logline
A pottery artist, grappling with personal turmoil and unmotivated with their artwork, accidentally shatters a cherished piece they and they're family member made together, unleashing a journey of healing and renewal. They discover that the elements of nature hold the power to mend not just pottery, but the broken parts of themselves, revealing the beauty in impermanence and the interconnectedness of all things.
Synopsis draft (Too long)
Synopsis final
Thorn, a young artist, is struggling to find motivation and creativity while living in the city. One day, she accidentally breaks a cherished pottery piece that was made by her and a family member. This unfortunate event leads to an unexpected journey of self-discovery in an unexplored forest. Through the guidance of nature, she discovers the beauty in the cracks of nature and returns to her apartment with a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration. Using elements of the natural world such as roots, plants, and flowers, Thorn repairs the pottery and heals her spirit. She embraces the imperfections that make her unique. The story concludes with Thorn's artwork reflecting the beauty and wisdom she has gained from her journey.
Reflection Week 18
Week 19:
Reflection
Toolkit 5: AFX with Mariana
In this workshop I used my insect experiments and made one of them move. Perhaps the creatures in my animations could be animated like this? It was my first attempt of rigging in after effects and I think it was very successful because I got it to move in sync to how a beetle would move.
Su Lynn workshop: head rigging
During the workshop with Su Lynn I failed to do the character rig first time, however tried again at home with the aid of Su Lynn’s helpful YouTube videos. I think my second attempt is very successful as I merged what I’m doing in this project with the workshop, as I used my own designed character. This could be helpful for possibility of having rigged background characters. I don’t plan to rig my main character as I want to animate them more fluidly.
Character experiments in sketchbook
Reflection
I did some watercolor paintings in my sketchbook and I really liked the character I designed in the top left. It encouraged thoughts about what kind of plant I want to make my main character. I’m now considering to make my character a mix between a cactus or spiky plant, as they aren’t flashy and are usually overlooked? which could also add to my main characters profile? that they’re different to the much “prettier” plants around them?
More characters – an exploration
Storyboard version 1 (post it notes)
Reflection
My first storyboard, I decided to use post-it notes and stuck them on my wall, this gave me the ability to tweak and re-arrange my panels to make it flow better. By doing my storyboard, I feel confident to start by animatic next week, in time for the first interim.
Story circle
Script
Reflections Week 19
Week 20
Character development exploring shapes
Main character development inspired by a watercolour painting in my sketchbook ^
Initial expression sheet
Reflection
I’ve done some refined versions of my main character inspired by my watercolor painting. I will create more paintings of her, to create a more broader range of expressions. I need to also create a character bible as stated in creative writing to give a better feel for my character and get to know how they’d react in certain situations.
Plants that have inspired me for my main character – Pear cactus and Agrave – I chose these plants because I find them interesting in shape and they both symbolise resilience – which the character develops throughout the narrative
More character design development (turn around)
Animatic version 1
Statement of intent
Reflections Week 20
Week 21
Interim 1
Reflection
My first interim went very well. However I rushed my backgrounds and prop design for the sake of showing something, I wasn’t happy with those outcomes. So the rest of this week I plan to do some backgrounds and prop design closer to my vision. I don’t think I will have time to do experiments this week but I’ll use my time over the break to do my experiments.
Feedback: To make my main characters costume more plant-like? have cracks in they’re clothing? such as rips in trousers etc to underpin to concept? – The story was very clear but could indicate more that she sees the cracks in nature – eg cracks in the trees that house animals?
Character work space: floor plan
3D model
Background design
Reflection
A background of the apartment my main character lives in. I like the textures I created in this piece, it reminds me of something rustic and cozy, maybe reflecting my main characters simplistic but also creative mind. The glass stained windows are used as a compass to foreshadow the narrative, the cracks with flowers coming out resemble the state of the characters physical and emotional state at the end of the story. Moving foreword I will continue experimenting with my backgrounds – need to design the city, forest and graveyard at the end.
Thumbnails
Prop design
Reflection
Prop designs of potential props that will be shown in the film. I had a lot of fun designing the pots and was inspired by Beatrice Wood for her unique shaped pottery and colors. I wanted to make the cracked pottery a contrast to the more elegant put together pottery. I think dispersing the cracks and having the roots and plants support the creases is really effective and gives an interesting look that is unique. Filling the pots with the plants adds on to the theme of healing as the plants mend the pottery and even though the not the way it used to be, in a way it can be seen as something more profound and beautiful. It also reflects my main characters connection to her roots/who she truly is (a plant person) and her passion, turning a family business into something her own.
I designed cars for the street scene, the phone my main character uses and just some potential items my character will use such as the mini pottery wheel.
Reflections Week 21
Easter Break Week 1
Character design refinement/redesign of main character
Reflection
Refined my character designs, redesigning my main character – the reason I changed their outfit was because because she lacks flowers/doesn’t look as “pretty” or “interesting” as the other plant people – so she has flowers covering her outfit to make up for it – the other characters pose more confidently than her – showing her to be more secure. The flowers on her clothes also foreshadow the flowers that grow through her cracked face and body at the end of the story.
More watercolour paintings
Reflection
Thinking about plants and flowers and what symbols they represent, I dived into sexuality and found that lavender and pansies symbolise connotations of homosexuality. Thinking about my diverse characters, perhaps if I have time I could add them somehow.
Recording place
Experiment – Flower pounding
Process
Before > After
Reflection
Doing these experiments has helped me think about different forms in nature – but also think about mark making and texture for my film – finding new ways to use plants in my surroundings to make something new. Experimenting has made me think about the continuous mark nature will have on this planet, that no matter how badly humans have damaged an eco-system, it always springs back. Nature finds ways to grow back between the cracks of abandoned buildings – there have been sightings of wolf and bear rehabilitating around Chernobyl, a place filled with toxins and remnants of human activity. Moving forward I will take this experience into consideration when making my film – could overlay the textures of the top and act as plants in the environment.
Pressed flowers
Reflection Easter Break Week 1
Easter Break Week 2
Alice Fox
Alice Fox has been an inspiration for this project because she gathers and stitches together found natural objects – exploring the potential of what she finds in the landscape – despite the decay of the natural material she uses she embraces the imperfections. This exploration becomes a collaboration between object and artist. Inspired by her practise I will seek to observe nature in a unique way like her and experiment with found objects – perhaps experiment with the materials I’ve already found when doing the flower pounding – as I’ve dried them in the sun?
Experiment – Leaf stitching
Experiment – Alcohol Inks + Tyvex
Experiment – Sun printing
Reflection
Experiments created using plants that were being thrown away by my mum or just dug up plants laying in the garden – displays what you can do with what you have. I really love my sun printing results – it would be so interesting to use sun prints over the top of my backgrounds – especially over my scenes in the forest.
I used many plants such as weeds that grow in between the concrete in my garden, which I found the most beautiful in variety and shape – I find it fascinating that a weed is defined as a plant that grows “where you don’t want it to grow” – it usually grows in-between cracks of pavement and over man-made structures. I found that even though through societal norm a weed is a “unwanted” plant I can’t help but love the way it grows in the most unexpected places.
I also messed around with alcohol inks – could use these in the growth scene > characters internal self morphs and grows – could do a stop motion? incorporate alcohol inks into a paint on glass animation in the part of self discovery – I also made experiments inspired by Alice Fox’s work, with her leaf stitching pieces – perhaps I could use this technique as a reference/technique of her mending the pottery.
Process
Drawing from life in local forest
Shadow tracing
Reflection
Shadow tracing was a great opportunity to sit in nature and paint. I went to my local forest and sat in the grass while the sun was up. Using the sun was reminiscent of sun printing, but instead of making shapes from the space around the object, I drew out the plant itself using its silhouette, opening my mind to new ways of working. I did this technique to experiment expressing natures forms and using my environment. This made me feel more connected to nature as I was in it while creating.
Eco Art
Sadly I didn’t have time in this project to experiment further with eco art. Nevertheless by experimenting a lot this project I will carry on my curiosity by exploring eco art further in future projects.
More sun printing experiments
In this experiment I looked at the effect on the sun and the different effects you can get when in the sun for different intervals of time. To experiment, I had my control group which was the one on the left, I left that for the stated 15 minutes – the amount of time it says on the instructions. And then I increased the time by ten minutes each time – the further to the right = more time in the sun. I concluded that the ones that were in the sun longer took on a more purplish look where the plants were – while the ones in the sun the least had the normal white silhouette.
Reflection Easter Break Week 2
Easter Break Week 3
Backgrounds: Scene 1 opening scene
Reflection
The opening of my film, I planned to establish my characters relationship with the family who made the pottery with my character – following my feedback. I then reveal the name of the animation by using the calendar, pealing back the pages to reveal it’s title.
The city design is inspired by Milan and Italy. My friend is on a semester abroad and sent me photos, with her permission I drew inspiration of the buildings. There’s a certain feeling I get with the architecture in Italy, it almost gives me the feeling of pots and ceramics? like they were sculpted in a way? The colors are also an inspiration and I feel like they go well with the vibes I’ve gone for in my other backgrounds.
Quick turn around (rough) – Main character
Reflection
I did a turn around to get a more accurate feel for my characters clothing and hair positioning, so the animation stays consistent and the hair makes sense as it’s quite complex to vision at different angles. I will use this as reference for my animation as well as my expression sheets.
Animation test
Reflection Easter Break Week 3
Week 22
Su Lynn Tutorial: Feedback
Animatic edit
Feedback – made window look less like a frame.
Reflections Week 22
Week 23
Interim 2
Feedback: Animatic looking good – changes could be us showing the broken shard next to the frame of the character and her grandmother – different advice but changing it wouldn’t change the story in a significant way – said can change but I don’t have to – spend longer on the inner turmoil part where she cries.
Rigging Character Head Su Lynn: part 2
Reflection
This workshop was focusing on the mouth – this could be very helpful with lip sync – despite not having dialogue in the film – it will be helpful for future jobs/projects. I don’t think I’ll do rigging in my film as my animation style in this piece is more “boiled” and flowy – which would be hard to implement on a rigged model.
Watercolour paintings
Animation inspirations for my film
Bluebird in the wind: By Elliscky – I love the painterly feel + the boiling effect – I think I will boil my characters but not the background due to timeframe constraints
ORBIT: By Miv Choi – Love the expressions in this – the sun reminds me of my own character with circular features – the clumsiness awkwardness and acting also caught my attention – Chris suggested that I find animations especially animation shorts to see a more realistic length I will be working with and also the quality of work as I don’t have long to produce my film.
Paint on glass animation: By Aleksandr Petrov – I love this technique as it has a dreamy feel – feels real and unreal at once – this technique would be perfect for my inner turmoil scene and also the growing montage scene – where both scenes are abstract. I like the concept of the application and removal of paint – creating a trail and what was once there – passage of time through movement – will experiment this technique before using it for my scenes to get the hang of it as I’ve never trued the technique before.
Sakshi Jain welcomes mistakes rather than rubbing them out
Reflections Week 23
Week 24
Starting Production:
Production plan: TIMETABLE
Backgrounds: Scene 1 Introducing character (all room scenes where created with help from the 3D model)
Scene 1: How I organised my shots (example)
Collaboration:
3rd years project Trinity, Kitty & Ngoc : InkBound
Role: Backgrounds & Coloring
2nd year project Alicia Abbot:
Role: Backgrounds
Over the project have offered assistance to both 2nd year and 3rd year students, each teaching me lessons on altering style and adapting techniques. I learnt a tonne from the 3rd years a took notes on how they organised they’re animation.
Reflections Week 24
Week 25
Background: Scene 1 Breaking the vase
Scene 1: Breaking the vase (rough animation by Alicia Abbot)
Key points: Hair grows out in spiked to show her frustration, walk is aggressive to show her annoyance, I really like the shadows I created when she walks past the vase, my favourite part was the drop shadow I did when the vase breaks – my friend gave me the idea of showing the characters emotions through they’re hair – inspired by spirited away as the movie expresses characters emotions through hair as well as characters emotions.
To improve: Feedback: when the jar breaks, could stop before breaking so the action doesn’t feel like one but rather two separate movements.
AFX Toolkit with Mariana: 2.5D effect
Key points: Used 2.5D effect using the 3D effect and camera, blurred out cat as camera gets closer
To improve: doesn’t look “3D” – should of separated out more layers/ created more distance between layers
Meeting with the 3rd years:
On Friday, the 3rd years decided to organise a meet up so that we meet each other in person, we discussed deadlines and what they are looking for – I have volunteered for backgrounds, compositing, clean up, rough and key-framing. I have yet to wait for the work to be given to me, but I have to be mindful of my own deadlines so I might stick to backgrounds and compositing as the roles.
Reflections Week 25
Week 26
Painting on glass animation experiment:
Set up
Tests
Scene 1: Inner Turmoil – digital + painting on glass
Key points: favorite part is the flowing of the hair, love the eyes and how they show denial, pull out hair in tuff of leaves to show anger – stages of grief? – painting on glass I think was successful, shows introspective sequence building up to the level of stress
Scene 2: Walk in city
Key points: opportunity to work on walk cycles with multiple characters/busy city
To improve: Still trying to figure how to create reflections in after effects – I used drop shadow but it doesn’t look like how I envisioned
Reflections Week 26
Week 27
Reflection
This weeks toolkit helped me with confidence when using a camera in after effects, it links back to my lesson creating 2.5D space and it has got me thinking about how I could implement this into my film. I will use this technique perhaps when my character is walking through the woods. Attending the AFX toolkit has definitely made me better with after effects and I will develop skills learnt over summer.
Reflections Week 27
Week 28
Interim 3 – wasn’t able to go as was unwell (reflected on this on my reflection block 2 page)
Scene 3: Flower face scene
Key points: swaying plants to give life – helps create movement against static animation – soft movement to show character is relaxed – juxtaposition to the bustling city – growth of flowers over crack in face to symbolize the main characters acceptance + giving into nature = impermanence and change – particularly love the lighting
To improve: Add more flowers to show more growth – especially in the crack of her face
IDEA: My main character has a “special gift” when she’s in contact with plant life (flowers) she grows the flowers she touches. E.g when she has heighten emotions and feels connected to a person with a flower type – she can grow the same flower all over her head and body
Reflections Week 28
Week 29 (Submission Week)
Ongoing outcome
reflection
While I am not finished with my film when submitting my PDF I plan to carry on with this film for the deadline 11 June. This will give me time to take some care into my animating and spend time doing what I wanted to do during this project.
PDF SUBMISSION
SCREENING TIMETABLE (yr2 ca interim show on wednesday 26th june)
Conclusion
The Epilogue
Third year volunteer work
Scene 2: Walk in city pt 2 background
Each buildings name is inspired by an element in nature – inspired by plants.
Scene 2: Walk in city pt 2
Key points: main character gets points at by a child walking past with her mother – the main character thinks it’s because the kid s making fun of her but it’s because she has a similar mark on kids face – wanted to have designed characters in the background e.g airing clothing etc to give depth
Scene 2: Finds forest background
The light = guidance to a new path in life – the forest = the right of passage, discovery, new journey – there’s a reason why forests are used in so many fairy tales to express the beginning of a characters journey,
Scene 2: Finds forest
Scene 2: Finds forest pt 2
Scene 3: Stroll in the forest – multiple atmosphere shots backgrounds
Background with sun printing experiments
Key points: Incorporated the sun printing and rigging I did to this shot – walking in forest = a journey – self exploration
Improvements: Could have made this shot a bit longer. Unsure about the bug I rigged going opposite direction but does give contrast.
Making the water fall – credits to my sister for helping me
Background underneath
AE FX over the top
Scene 3: Clearing
Discovered app (Trello) – keep track of my progress
Scene 3: Kneels down
Scene 3: Touches grass
Scene 3: Lays in grass
Scene 4: fixing pot montage
Scene 4: Growth montage
Key points: used paint on glass for the background
Scene 4: graveyard scene
Music/vocals collab
Was able to collaborate with a girl called Roxana who goes to Edinburgh University to do some music for my film! She is so gifted – challenge will be how to incorporate the music Bankole did with Roxana’s vocals/music.
CREDITS
Key points: Love the gold and green motif – fantasy style – the plant growing with the text indicate the growth of my character will continue to do beyond the film.
Improvements: I was going to include illustrations but ran out of time – also would take up more time in credits than already planned.
FINAL
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Arctic Fox. “Aleksandr Petrov Animation (Oil Paints on Sheets of Glass).” YouTube, 23 June 2013, youtu.be/JHFlnwXKhsM. Accessed 28 May 2024.
artincontext, and artincontext. “Kintsugi – Explore the Beautiful Art of Japanese Broken Pottery.” Artincontext.org, 3 May 2022, artincontext.org/kintsugi/.
Braje, Todd. “Humans Have Been Altering Nature for Thousands of Years – to Shape a Sustainable Future, It’s Important to Understand That Deep History.” The Conversation, 16 May 2024, theconversation.com/humans-have-been-altering-nature-for-thousands-of-years-to-shape-a-sustainable-future-its-important-to-understand-that-deep-history-226106. Accessed 28 May 2024.
elliscky. “Bluebird in the Wind 離風藍蘭 -the Heart’s Eternal Song – Independent Short Animated Film | Trailer.” YouTube, 13 Mar. 2024, youtu.be/4PjdJHjCqGY. Accessed 28 May 2024.
Fox, Alice. “Alice Fox – Artist.” Alice Fox – Artist, 2017, www.alicefox.co.uk/.
Harmon, Dan. “Dan Harmon Story Circle: 8 Proven Steps to Better Stories.” Www.youtube.com, 2018, youtu.be/-XGUVkOmPTA.
Hingley, Olivia. “In Her Poetic Animations, Sakshi Jain Welcomes Mistakes rather than Rubbing Them Out.” Www.itsnicethat.com, 2023, www.itsnicethat.com/articles/sakshi-jain-animation-illustration-discover-170723.
Ives, Christopher D, et al. “Human–Nature Connection: A Multidisciplinary Review.” Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, vol. 26-27, no. 26, June 2017, pp. 106–113, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877343517301264, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2017.05.005.
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