ANIMATION FUNDAMENTALS - FINAL PROJECT

15.11.19 - 05.12.19 (Week 12 - Week 16)

Helen Angelia (0336203)

Animation Fundamentals

Final Project - Self-Introduction and Compilation

---

FINAL PROJECT: SELF-INTRODUCTION AND COMPILATION


15.11.19 (Week 13)

Ms. Anis updated a post in Times about the 10 secs self-introduction animation for our final project. We needed to come up with a narrative and roughly lay out our ideas into a storyboard and submit by the end of the week.

Then I started to find a self-introduction animation in YouTube to help me find inspiration. I've tried to look at the seniors' blog of how they made their self-introduction as well and the references they found. Their animations are nice and creative, but the styles doesn't really suit me.


#Example: Self-Introduction Animation Reference
This is one of the example of an self-introduction animation which contains variation of our works, but I feel like it's still to hard for me to do and with the limited time I have, I don't think I could finish it in time.

After thinking about it for a few days, I finally found my inspiration. Since it is only 10 seconds, it gave me an idea to look at Japanese Anime opening MV. Most of them introduces the character for a bit and the title will pop up later between 10 - 20 seconds. So, I looked up a few of anime opening videos I could use for my final project.

#1 - Kimi ni Todoke
(0-10 seconds)

#2 - Ao Harus Ride (Blue Spring Ride)
(0-20 seconds)

#3 - Akagami no Shirayukihime (Snow White with the Red Hair) (0-12 seconds)


#4 - Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso (Your Lie in April) (0-14 seconds)
After seeing those opening videos, I finally got an idea of what I wanted to do. I quickly started on making the storyboard.

Here is the rough idea of my storyboard:



Storyboard Rough Ideas
05.12.19 (Week 16)
Since I still had other assignments to finish and revised, I couldn't focus on working my final project. I asked Ms. Anis and Mr. Hezrey of my previous works for their feedbacks and once I got their approval, then I can continue working on my self-introduction. 
On this week, I asked Ms. Anis of what she thinks about my rough idea storyboard. Ms. Anis said it was quite nice and she told me she already graded it and give me a 9 (although I'm not sure what she meant back then). After I got her approval, I started drawing frames first in Adobe Photoshop.

Fig 1.1

Process Drawing Frames in Adobe Photoshop

After I'm done drawing and colouring in Photoshop, I transferred the frames into Adobe After Effects. Since I was really close with deadlines, I didn't quite make it as the same as how I planned in the storyboard. So, I tried to make it as simple, but calming and soothing as possible.

Here are the frames I used in After Effects:

Fig 1.2

Painted Frames

Fig 1.3

Process in Adobe After Effects

Since I need falling flower petals of plum blossom, I downloaded a GIF from Google and put it inside my work. This is to shorten the working time.

Fig 1.4

Falling Flower Petals GIF

After that, I compiled all of them and add background music.

Final Project - Self Introduction

When I finished working on my self-introduction, I compiled it with other exercises and projects I have done in Animation Fundamentals module. Here is the final outcome of my final project.

Final Project Compilation

---

Here is my Google Drive Link for full compilation:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=17dBHX0Ono--ms_ZtYqAmDlcxxuRunK9r

---

REFLECTION

EXPERIENCES

I have to say the week in working final project was hectic. I still need to do other work for other modules and time kept going without waiting for me. However, I like how the lecturers always helped me whenever I needed them. I would meet them face to face, text them, or any kind of way to consult to them so I won't get lost in working on my final project. They gave me critiques and suggestions of what could be done better, but it's just that sometimes both of them never really say no to my work. I'm not sure if it's because my work is already good as it is, or I'm running out of time. Because in my first year, the lecturers were more tough and more critical, but that doesn't mean that I want them to reject all my work hehe.

OBSERVATIONS

I tried to observe at how animators animate so many frames and drawings and the various techniques they used to make a good animation. I also paid attention to what the lecturers said in class and when they gave feedbacks. I wanted to know more about animation as it fascinates me. When I saw my friends' works, we all got different styles and ideas which makes it interesting.

FINDINGS

I found out a LOT about 2D animation in Animation Fundamentals module. I've always liked 2D and to be able to make one myself feels awesome (although for me it's still not good enough). Even though the lecturers were okay with my works, I feel like I still need to make more. I'm left behind from other animation students from other school or universities. It frustrates me just thinking about it. But now that I already have the basic knowledge of animation, I wanted to improve myself more in the future, to better than I am today and to have acknowledgements from the people. That is... I have to be more diligent and not procrastinate.