Animation Fundamentals ✦Final Project✦

The final project of Animation Fundamentals consist of the animation of a 5 second action sequence that involves physical movement, such as fight, chase or sports-related activity. The requirements are as followed:

Create a storyboard that visualizes key moments, actions and emotions of the scene while incorporating variety of camera shots, angles and visual continuity.
Perform all the processes learns in previous lessons such as rough, tie down, clean up and colouring.
Edit the final animation with sound effects and background music.

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✦INSTRUCTIONS✦

Figure 1: Assignment guidelines for Animation Fundamentals.

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✦1.0 IDEATION✦

1.1 Research

Prior to creating my storyboard, it was instructed by the assignment guidelines to search and select an action reference to animate. I wanted to include like a jumping animation in my action sequence, hence, I sourced out the following video which showcase a person jumping over an object in various angles.

Figure 2.1: Action reference showcasing a person jumping over an object.

1.2 Storyboarding

Based on the referenced sourced, I started on the storyboarding process. The story that I have visualized is that my character is late for work, thereby, she is rushing through the bustling night district to her store. The storyboard contains multiple angles and perspective based on the mood and setting.

Figure 3.1: Storyboard #1 with initial idea of story flow.

I further refined my storyboard by changing some of the panels that appeared boring and lack of dynamic. I improved the perspective depth of certain panels by creating a low angle panel as well as multiple closeups. I have also added minimal background characters to enhance the world building element.

Figure 3.2: Final Outcome of Storyboard - JPEG.

The storyboard features my character, Meng Po, running to her store whilst startling the wandering spirits during her journey. In the end, she jumped off the bridge and appeared to fall into her store through a quick transition followed by the Chinese words '欢迎光临' which translates to 'welcome to my store'.

Figure 3.3: Final Outcome of Storyboard - PDF.

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✦2.0 EXECUTION✦

2.1 Rough

Based on the storyboard drawn, I started on the rough animation. I cropped the video reference selected and selected a few frames which represent the extreme and in-betweens. I closely observed the anatomy and position of the reference in each selected frame to determine how to implement it in my animation.

Figure 4.1: Breakdown of frames screenshotted from reference video.

I have drafted out a simple animation which lasted 6 seconds. I have blocked out the silhouette of my character as well as sketched out the background with blue representing the background while red represents the front elements. The animation features 6 different scenes with various angles.

Figure 4.2: Rough animation of action sequence.

2.2 Tie Down

The rough is followed by the tie down process in which the lines were cleaned up. I have also added the details of the character.

Figure 4.3: Tie down animation of action sequence.

2.3 Clean Up

After the tie down, I continued with the clean up process. I further improved the clarity of the lines and add a few dark shadings to improve contrast and depth.

Figure 4.4: Clean up animation of action sequence.

During the weekly evaluation, Mr. Kamal stated the animation seemed slightly rush. Hence, more frames are added in between the scenes to allow breather for the overall animation.

Figure 4.5: Reviewed clean up animation of action sequence.

I also established a new character, which is a fire spirit who was surprised at Meng Po jumping down the bridge.

2.4 Colour

The colouring is the most tedious process as not only I have to colour the frame and background, but I also have to ensure that the shading is consistent throughout as to not give any awkward lighting.

Figure 5.1: Colour of character.

Finally, I rendered the background based on the layout illustrated in Project 1. The setting of the animation is placed in hell where the sky is always dark. Glowing spirits constantly float around appearing as bright lanterns. A total of 6 backgrounds were drawn along with 7 scenes.

Figure 5.2: Rendering of backgrounds.

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✦3.0 COMPLETION✦

The completion of the animation is followed by post production. I added sound effects as well as a background music. The background music used is "今日も一日良い日になりそうな" by Dova Syndrome on Youtube. The music is lively to show the bright start of a day in the life of the character.

Figure 6.1: Final Project titled 'Late for Work'.

The animation is titled 'Late for Work'. The video features a girl name Meng Po who carries the responsibility of feeding spirits in hell in which she opens up her restaurant everyday. On this day, she was late for work, hence she ran through the city to rush to her restaurant. The action sequences features Meng Po jumping over a fence, down the fence and into her restaurant, just in time for the opening.

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✦REFLECTION✦

The final assignment of Animation Fundamentals is the most challenging yet interesting project out of all the previous assignments given. This is because of the amount of creative freedom given after understanding the 12 Principles of Animation taught throughout the semester. We are instructed to create an action sequence while combining the animation techniques including background layouts and storyboarding.

The amount of work required for the final project was time-consuming, however, it was enjoyable throughout as I am creating something out of passion. I never had the opportunity to further improve my hobbies as I major in a completely different field, Food Science. I greatly appreciate the valuable experience which further enhanced my understanding in the Principles of Animation as well as improve my drawing techniques.

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✦Ariel Chin Bei Yi 0343651✦