Ok so its been awhile since my last blog, but that doesnt mean that ive been on holiday; nope, just that uni has amped up and is about to peak out in the next couple of weeks. In the past few weeks Ive been storyboarding, preparing audio and rendering backgrounds for the Moonlit Evil (working title) piece.

As I will be working in Toon Boom Animate Pro 2, Ive been teaching myself how to best utilise the camera within the scene for maximum impact and have worked out a basic panning movement. This test is a little rough, but it gives u the basic idea.



Working in a 3 dimensional space with 2D objects was a bit of a headspin for me at first and I had to map out the direction and layout of background versus character and camera angle to ensure that all elements worked effectively together. Perspective played an important part in this planning.

The background development and main 'stage' has also been completed and altered slightly from its most recent incarnation to ensure the flow of character movement and that the background did compliment and not overpower the characters.

Imp Design

This so far has been the most trying aspect of this project. The idea of Malvenia was sorted earlier during another assessment piece, but the Imp character was a challenge. I struggled with coming up with a design that would be complimentary to the protagonist. Other Imp designs can be seen in earlier posts, but the one below is the design that will be used.

Backgrounds

Have been working and reworking my ideas for backgrounds for my final 2D piece. Trying to decide whether the colours are going to squash my characters or whether its too busy. I think my most recent background has the components necessary for animation, including character platforms and a design that keeps the audience eye inside the moment.

The backgrounds will be stylised and in the vein of Disney's Sleeping Beauty with more attention paid to colour rather than realistic form.

I plan to import the drawn backgrounds into Toon Boom and using them as puzzle pieces for each character and as a whole. Most recent design is at top, earliest at the bottom of post.

Production Schedule and More Rethinks

The production schedule has been created- now i just gotta stick to it.

Also rethinking my choice of Flash. Have been doing a bit of research into Toon Boom and the use of symbols and have come to the realisation that i really want to do my third year piece in Toon Boom, so it makes more sense for me to perfect my use of the program now rather than 5mins before the third year film is due. I prefer the movement i can achieve in Toon Boom, and i think if i can combine that with the creation of symbols then it should be the most effective program for me to use for this project.

Have also reworked the Imp to capture more of the cheekiness of the original design and to ensure that he 'matches' the protagonist, Malvenia.

Malvenia Moves

Gesture and Key pose study of Malvenia.

Creating an Imp

Right, now to get down to the nitty gritty stuff. I'm edging closer to Flash as a medium for my Final 2D assignment. With this in mind I'm working on my character design for my secondary character, Malvenia's Imp.

I've started reading, 'How to Cheat in Flash,' which can be found in my google library (link sidebar) in an attempt to get my head around streamlined character design practical for Flash.

I have included progressive illustrations of the Imp character from conception to almost Flash ready. The final version of the Imp reflects my focus on the Flash method of animation by symbols. Colour and style have been chosen to compliment Malvenia.

This character is low in status- especially in relation to Malvenia. The Imp is so low that he does not have a name as such. He is like Malvenia, a product of the ancient mythological world, but he is a reject, a joke the gods played when they had left ove parts of other mythological creatures. He is an outsider, as is his mistress Malvenia. The double ears and tiny mouth indicates his role in the relationship as the subserviant 'sidekick'who is reactionary in his interaction with Malvenia. He is sly and when out of reach of his mistress, is cheeky and manipulative- he goes about his 'work' of creating havock with a nasty sense of glee. He is bound eternally to his mistress and serves her loyally.

Final 2D Assignment

Some concept art from my final 2D piece. Essentially we have to create a mini scene, dialogue between two characters focusing on status and character interaction. Am thinking about the choice between Flash and Toon Boom, and its been suggested that Flash may work better for me as I tend to be line orientated and overly illustrative in character design. Using Flash would enable me to add in this detail but to also control the detail, particularly in adding depth and dimension through tonal gradient with the characters.

In the next few weeks I will publishing more information about this project which proves to be both challenging and exciting.

Ever Googled ur name??

Yep in a moment of egotism, i googled my name and this is what i found, i had forgotten I had entered this competition, I didnt win, but its still there which is pretty cool lol. Check it out here.

Essentially it was a writing competition about pple who had changed their career recently and thats me lol.

Finished the Flash

Tonight i lay to rest my Knight of Carrotlot project. I enjoyed, for the most part, creating the piece, but it was a struggle grasping new concepts in Flash CS3.

Overall I think it turned out quite nicely, there are things that I would have done differently had I been more aware of consequences later down the track- in particular character design and the break apart aspect of Flash symbols suitable for animating.

It was the little issues that slowed me down, but the holistic effect is what I had planned and I was really happy with the dragon who turned out to be more of a star than i first anticipated. As with most new media I struggled with the application of timing in animation, I knew what I wante the timing to be but implementing it decisively in Flash took a little longer than i first thought.

Final thoughts, would i use Flash again? Most probably. It wouldnt be my first choice for 2D animation, but it is the most accessible and I can see how (with practice) it would become a slick streamlined way in which to animate short pieces. I also don't mind the Flash asthetic and love the tonal outline look of Flash characters.

To see my latest animation films click the YouTube link at the top of my blog, to go to Carrotlot click here.