Homework for Monday: Nov 7th

Purchase a pack of index cards!

Using your index cards, produce 4 possible scenarios for your next short animation! Details below:

Runtime: 6-15 seconds. Quality over quantity!

Story: Character lifts heavy object.

Production method: traditional media for sketches and pencil test, can be cleaned up on computer w/ color and final lineart.

Content needed on Monday: 

Character design w/ model sheet colored. Environment design. 

Thumbnails for key character poses and moments.  

Research and reference for character actions.

This weekend, produce the developmental materials for your new story! Be thorough! Next week, we will take the most important elements of each of your stories and begin producing them!  While you are free to start animating this weekend, I want you to make sure you fully develop your sequences ideas. Don’t be surprised if I ask you to change something or revise your story, or trim part of it to make a stronger film. ;)

Remember what we learned in class today!

For your film:

Show the Struggle.

How can you take something familiar and make it interesting!

Does your character succeed or fail?

GET THE REFERENCE!

MOVIES WE WATCHED (links will be posted soon):

Steamboat Willie

Jackie Chan - How to do Action Comedy by Every Frame A Painting.

Nerf John Wick

Additional References;

Flooby Nooby: Storyboarding And The Exchange 

Introduction to Cinematography: Shot Types, Blocking, Rule of Thirds, Composition, and More!

Note for future referenceL  There are three books that will need to be in your library if you want to be the best at what you do, be it animation, illustration, or more cinematic photography. Those books are below:

Why are we learning shot types?  The only way for you to expand your knowledge as a visual storyteller is to know all of the formulas and conventions you have at your disposal.  Even one new frame could be the difference between an amateur production and presentation and a visual masterpiece of storytelling!

A list of helpful books for cinematic storytelling, good for both Animation and Live Cinema!

http://www.amazon.com/Cinematic-Storytelling-Powerful-Conventions-Filmmaker/dp/193290705X

http://www.amazon.com/Master-Shots-Vol-2nd-Techniques/dp/1615930876/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y

http://www.amazon.com/Master-Shots-Volume-Shooting-Dialogue/dp/1615930558/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z

THE RULE OF THIRDS:

http://digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds

http://vimeo.com/14315821

IMPORTANT: THE 180º RULE!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bba7raSvvRo

VARIOUS CAMERA SHOTS:

Basic Shots: http://www.mediacollege.com/video/shots/

Advanced shots begin to manipulate the camera and treat it as more of a character in the film, moving and swaying between angles and shots to create a more lived in space:

Examples:  http://revision4gcses.wordpress.com/media-studies/camera-anglesmovementshots/

Dolly shots are some of the most advanced, yet easiest to preform in animation.  Dolly shots are where the camera trucks, weaving in and out of the scene, around characters, key environment elements, and other places.  (in short, move the camera from one side to the next)

Two Shot: A medium shot with two subjects.

Overhead shot (bird's eye view):  Camera is facing down from above.

Canted shot:  When the camera is tilted on it's axis so that normally vertical lines appear slanted to the left or right.  Ordinary expectations are frustrated.  Often used to create mystery and suspense in films to create a sense of unease in the viewer.

http://www.slideshare.net/StaceySmith1/camera-shots-and-angles-5618222

Handheld Shot:  "shaky cam"  sometimes played up in action scenes to suggest a state of unrest.

Remember that the shots you use already come loaded with information for your character to use.  Also remember that keeping the camera steady in some instances will give your character pivotal moments to come alive.

BONUS: Notes on camera angle diversity: Notes on camera diversity.

http://www.demotix.com/blog/advice/1072724/creating-shot-list-diversity-your-camera-angles-and-image-submissions

FOCUSED CASE STUDY that Teaches Cinematography: 
The Cinematography of the Incredibles, parts 1-3.

Staging and blocking for animation: 

Why do we stage and block shots?  To better plan our animation.  It's a good idea to have a list of documents for what our cartoon will be.  Printouts of our character and our character's expressions for easy reference.  Printouts or organized sketches for your characters.  Documents of the action and shot direction. Drawings of where you think your shots will be.  And, it makes you feel better about the work you do. Seeing the pieces of your cartoon come together creates a sense of pride in your cartoon, as if you are doing something important that many people are simply unable to do.  It's the truth.

Things to remember when planning cinematography:

Practice your draftsmanship!  Draw lighter in the beginning, sketch first, refine second!  We will animate our character through drawing frames!  Block out each shot.  Export your drawings out of Storyboard pro as a pdf.  You can board on paper, or photoshop, and scan in too.  but we will make an animatic of your work for the final.

STORYTELLING: Three Act Structure:

Review the formula for a movie's "Three Act Structure" at these links:http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ThreeActStructure
http://www.cod.edu/people/faculty/pruter/film/threeact.htm
http://scripteach.com/?page_id=223

Class Cancelled Today

Hey Everyone,

Classes are cancelled today because I I messed up and got unexpectedly sick.  I was so excited to see what everyone was working on too! :(  

On the bright side, each of you already has a project you are working on.

AN200: Refining your environments for their character turnarounds.

AN410: Developing assets for your directed study.

AN325: Using the process we discussed to develop sequences of your film.

While things are a little unorthodox today, drop items on the class server or email short video clips or screenshots to me for any questions you may have. When I'm awake, I'll send you feedback. For any other questions, feel free to contact me. We'll return to our regularly scheduled classes on Wednesday.

Thanks,

~Shaw