Summary of the Experience

We arent meant to submit a evaluation for this part of the course however, i wanted to sum up this experience and evaluate it so i can reflect on everything i have learnt over the past few months.

I was surprised with how hard i found it to come up with a good idea that would fit with in one minute. There was a lot of scrapping ideas and re-writing them to get something even mouldable. I feel like i have grasped the idea a little more about realistic stories in relation to a time limit. The story has to be simple, maybe 3 characters maximum, there needs to be one event, and nothing to dramatic and a quick solution - or no solution - for instance if the film was about emotion.

I process of the presentation was rather bitter sweet. I learnt a lot from it in a sense of gathering research material, story boards to pacing of my speech and practical aspects of the idea - how long it would take to animate - would it be colour of black and white etc. It was rather nerve wracking to begin with how ever i soon got warmed up and it just flowed. Some students went for a comical approach and that really grabbed me - they were so confident with what they were going to say that they could walk around the class and interact with the rest of the class which was perfect - it really engaged my attention. If i was to do this again i would rehearse my speech a little bit more - i think if i had been more passionate about my idea maybe this would have been better.

I was very pleased with the results of the presentations. I was glad that my idea had not been picked as it was not something i was passionate about, however i was slightly daunted with the prospect of being a producer of a project that i was most shy of. The idea was great, however, the medium of practice made me panic. The animation idea belongs to Remus (Director) it is about 3 characters a owl, wolf, and a mule. They are in a illegal betting den in down town USA. The owl and the wolf are betting by spinning a coin, and the owl looses all of his money to the wolf. To reconsolidate the owl, the wolf proposes that they scam a daft looking mule standing across the bar by using a fake double sided coin - this way the owl could win all his money back. They invite the mule over, and he inevitably looses his money. The mule thumps the table, the coin flips and he see's it is a fake coin. The mule threatens the owl and wolf, in a panic the wolf suggests that they should give the mule back all his money so he leaves them alone. The scene will cut to the mule standing outside the bar - the wolf walks out the bar - the mules gets the money out of his pocket and shared the money with the wolf - they walk away arm in arm laughing.

I loved the idea, its classy, short and snappy, interesting - there are three dynamic characters which are completely different to each other and their designs really reflect their personalities. There are 5 members in my group, but only four worked on the project.

The director was great - he had such a strong and sure idea of what he wanted, the style, the way they would talk, walk and communicate that it was really easy for the group to dive in and get involved. He was always one step ahead with the story boarding, concept art, and other ideas that it created a buzz of excitement in the group. I know from lectures that Andy has held that the producer has to be harsh and get things done - but i really wasn't up for being that kind of producer. I wanted this to be enjoyable for everyone, everyone needs to feel equal and happy. This is when you come out with the best outcome.

I was very luck with the group i was put in with - the Director was great with all the software and techniques we needed to use - photoshop, tablets, painting tools. He actually gave me some photoshop tutorials and lessons to help me out which was great
Another guy in my group is a really strong drawer, in the first part of the course i loved the way he drew and especially his animation to the character voice we had. If i could have worked with anyone it would definitely have been the director and this guy.
Last but not least, the third guy was great on software - this included sound - he spent a lot of his time making the sound for the animation, using recordings me made in the sound booth that we booked out.
And I, Well, i am organised, i can draw, i can learn quick. I could make sure everyone knew what they were doing, when, where and why. I wanted to work on all aspects of the project as i knew this is where i could potentially learn A LOT!

Using a tablet was a little frustrating at first, i struggled to grasp using the pen, how ever after a few hours of use i really got to grasps with it. I actually love using a tablet and now realise how much easier it is to use a tablet then to draw out all my animation! It cuts out a huge amount of time post production wise - wither capturing the images in a sequence or scanning them into a machine - the images are already on a computer - also there is no need to muck around with the contrast of the images as they are already correct as they would default to the computers settings.

I really enjoyed my role of being the producer - i love making things organised - the group would probably say that i sent out a few too many emails, but i think it was just enough! :D I made a schedule at the beginning of the course which we actually followed really well - in fact we ended up being ahead of the schedule - i had obviously been rather generous with the timing - but really i have to give it to the great team work and moral with in the group. Everybody worked really hard to get it all done and to a great standard!

I was forced out of my comfort zone when being put in this group but i am SO glad that i was made to do so. I have learnt so much and this process has been invaluable to my education and experience or working with other people, in the industry and problem solving situations that occur in every day to day life that can affect the process of the project. I am honoured to have worked with the people that i worked with (you know who you are) and I wouldn't change a thing.

Thanks to everyone in my group that worked to hard to create such a fabulous animation, and other people who helped out with the process.

Finished Animation - low quality to unload to Vimeo

Emails

I have taken some print screens of all of the emails i have set up throughout the whole project up until this point - this is to demonstrate my commitment to the project and to my group.

Extra's Finished by tomorrow please

Hi all – all Extras need to be finished for tomorrow – ive been trying to upload my file to media fire but its taking hours to do it so its easier if i just give it to you remus tomorrow! I sent everyone a email about the meeting tomorrow – 10am B124, im looking forward to seeing you all!

I will try and upload my file one more time

Emails

Hey,

Just a little reminder to get everyone to check their emails cause i need a few emails from people just to check everything is up to day as we wont be able to have a meeting due to some things cropping up for everyone.

But i REALLY need you all to send me a email, ive sent you all personalised emails so i just need a 2 sentence email!!

Thanks

Blurbs for DVD case

The blurbs have been drafted and ill put them below – they are all slightly different and i can come up with some more.. Some are slightly too long maybe. But see what you think.

In a small illegal betting den in back town USA, a confident wolf, a slow mule and a shy owl make some bets. But who really looses? Who takes the money? All is not what it seems.

A short animation based in a illegal underground bar is back town USA in the late 1930’s. A group of ‘unacquainted’ characters bet with money, but all is not what it seems. Who really looses all of their money?

Ever wanted to bet your money? Join a Wolf, Mule, and a first time betting Owl as they play for high steaks in a illegal betting bar is back town USA. The Owl quickly learns it isn’t as easy as it seems.

Who’s bluffing? In a small illegal betting den in back town USA, a confident wolf, a slow mule and a shy owl make some bets. But who do you think is really loosing their money?

Ever wondered what happens in an illegal underground betting bar in back town USA in the late 1930’s? Well watch this short Animation.

There is always someone who looses everything when it comes to betting. But who really looses all their money? All is not what it seems in this short animation.

All the Extra Scenes

Here are the sounds you guys need.

(Caylee) Vomit: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?b8yzc9r1at4xtmu

(Felim) Cry/Hug: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?spgdmx8fbw87gr4

(Remus) Gazongas: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?m3db2vbgmjcbo8c

(George) Cocktails: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ixlyk237nro0fb9

(Shaun?) Gambling: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?f1qvo44f3tuq1aa

Mediafire was being wierd with me so if there is a problem with the sound you downloaded (i.e. it’s not the right one) just leave a comment and I’ll check it. Thanks.

Extra's and their sound

We all have to do an extra for the DVD. We have all been allocated certain scenes. However, i have not been given any of the sound files? Therefore i am not sure where to find the sound tracks so everyone can draw their key frames to them? If either Felim of Remus could direct me to the correct place on media fire or even upload the sounds for us onto mediafire that would be fantastic! The sounds we need are – the zomit – crying/hug – gazongas – drinks/cocktails and what ever sound shaun would be happy with – maybe we could upload the voice overs and shaun can pick out from what is left on there as he missed the meeting?

I spoke to George before we split up and we think it really is essential that we head the sound so we know exactly what we are doing and we can be refreshed – will enable us to work quicker too.

Hope everyone enjoyed their easter sunday! 

Felim: I’m cropping all the sounds we need now. I’ll have them uploaded in 20mins.