Tweaking an Idea

The idea behind this was that I was going to try and combine my ideas. I would show the process of the egg being fertilized and then mitosis which follows after.

Rough Ideas 2

Just some more ideas on what I could do for the animation. I think I'm going to stick with the mitosis section of the cycle, which is where the zygote divided (cell division). Plus the quick thumbnail in the top left hand corner is what my first concept piece was based on.
On this page I was experimenting with some watercolour pencils and pen. Plus the list on the side is some questions I need to answer myself.

Fern Life Cycle Research

Fern Life Cycle GCSE Level

Reproduction of a Fern

Looking for information about the reproductive system of a Fern, I came across these websites. The first one really cleared up some small confusions I had about the cycle. Now I can further develop an idea for my animation now I am more certain of the facts.The second one, although useful was rather annoying with the pop up of the 'payment is needed before you can see anymore'.

Concept Art Image 1

First concept piece. Needs a little bit of work still on the ferns.

Ferns

To get an idea on what the leaves of ferns looks like, so that I can paint them I looked at some images of the plant itself

Ferngully

As I'm doing the Life Cycle of a Fern, my ideas are to have my animation from the size of the fern and smaller. To help me with this, I looked at Ferngully. The reason from this is because the film is in the view of faeries, meaning the environment around them would be larger than it would for a human. The textures of the surrounding world would be in more detail and the perspective would be different.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae7x3sp4vIQ&feature=related

Concept Art Practise

As its been a while since I have had to do any concept art, I looked at the DVD, The Techniques of Dylan Cole (Introduction to Landscape Matte Painting) to get some practise for digital painting. Although not finished I'm half happy with it. I might come back to it if I feel I need some more practise.

1st Rough Idea

This page is pretty messy in terms of layout, but it was more for me to get down an idea quickly. Plus to map out some bands for music and things to look at as research. My target audience I've decided will be GCSE level. This means I can be a little dark with concept but not to a gory extent. The same goes for cuteness etc. The idea was for Mitosis section of the Fern reproductive stage. The Zygote (the fertilized seed) falls to the ground. I was wondering whether to make this a bit of an explosion...bit like a meteor falling from the sky.

However after looking into the cylce more closely, I've realized that this is not scientifically correct. From what I can make out the fertilized egg is already in the ground.

The Fantastic Voyage

The Fantastic Voyage is a film about a team of scientists who take an amazing journey through the human body in a submarine. The film was released on 14th October 1966 and was directed by Richard Fleischer.



After reading some reviews it was said that the film's imagery was stunning for the era. The layout and music combined gives the effects of a surreal world.

http://www.webomatica.com/wordpress/2008/12/22/movie-notes-fantastic-voyage/




I rather enjoyed watching the film. At first I thought it was going to be rather dull and cheesy but I was pleasantly surprised. Although I was a little unsure of what was supposed to be happening at the beginning, I soon started to enjoy watching the film. However there was one thing which slightly confused me (and critiques pointed out to) how come the submarine didn't return to its normal size along with the crew?

Unit 6- Commission

For Unit 6, our aim is to have and make an animation about one biological process for a commissioner. Yesterday we were given the 4 scenarios from which we had to choose one to base our animation. The processes were

How Cells Develop

The Life Cycle of a Slime Mold

The Life Cycle of Mushroom

The Life Cycle of a Fern

After much though, I've decided to choose 'The Life Cycle of a Fern' as when the process was explained, I could see a lot of potential for some interesting scenes and imagery for my animation.

Contact Method Walk Cycle

Down Pose Walk Cycle

The Astonished Hat-Stand

Overall I agree with what was said during the crit. That was the middle section worked very well but the beginning and the ending could use some work to make it clearer what was going on. However after all the drawing, one now appreciate just how much time, effort and patience goes into creating a true believable animation, such those seen by Disney, Ghibi Studio etc.

Eyes Rig

Animation Part 1

The first part of my animation. I aim to have the last bit of it finished tomorrow. I will be editing it when all my animation is finished.

Alice in Wonderland 2010

Went to see Alice in Wonderland yesterday. Rather enjoyed it. The soundtrack worked well with the scenes and I personally thought the animation and CG imagery wasn't too bad either. Especially the Cheshire Cat. However, having had a short conversation with Alan today about it I can see what he means that it had a weak 3rd act. The Mad Hatter with a sword? Hmmm doesn't really work.



The film reminds me more of a book I've read based on a different version of Alice in Wonderland, but it's called 'The Looking Glass Wars'. In the book, Alice (spelt Alyss) is actual the princess of wonderland. Her Aunt 'the Queen of Hearts' like character (similar to the one in the 2010 film) invades the palace on Alyss' birthday. In an attempt to save the Kingdom (or Queendom as its called because of having a female ruler) Hatter (who in the book is actually the Captain of the Guard) sends Alyss to our world so she may be safe. Years later Hatter (after loosing her) find Alyss again so she can dethrone her aunt.

As the film is very similar in plot line to the Looking Glass Wars book, I was almost waiting for the Mad hatter to turn his hat into something a little more deadly (and not use a simple sword). For Hatter in the book has a hat (hence where he got his name) which turns into twin blades.

Essay Argument and Animation

After a lot of thought I've finally came up with an argument for my essay. The animator I've chosen to talk about is Don Bluth. The argument is

'How Don Bluth's studio have attempted to recreate a classic Disney film in the Secret of Nimh and whether or not they have been successful in doing so.'

As for my animation, bout 1/4 of the way through. Aiming to have the majority done by the time we get back so I've got a week to edit any faults etc.

Rigging- Legs

Life Drawing 30th March

Used charcoal this week. Messy and fun. I was almost tempted to do what I was taught at Maidstone and cover the entire paper in charcoal and use the rubber to draw my figure. However stuck with colouring only small sections of the page.

3D Walk Cycle 1

Animatic

Just realized it's 2 seconds shorter than it should be. However this is just a rough idea of how it should play out.