ANIMATION PRODUCTION 3
ASSESSMENT 5: TRACKING DOCUMENTATION
ASSESSMENT 5: TRACKING DOCUMENTATION
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Backgrounds/Chimney Environment
à Build entire environment, which can be navigated by a camera
1. 2D Photoshop BGs
· Negative: Flat
· Negative: difficult to maintain different perspectives
· Positive: Stylised
2. 3D environment Maya
· Negative: Not as stylised
· Negative: Maya knowledge lacking
· Negative: Waste of learning AF
· Positive: Faster and more accurate
3. 2.5D environment
· Negative: Lack of understanding
· Positive: Learning something new
· Negative: Unachievable
Solution: Build environment in Maya using polygons. Export as OBYJ and import into Photoshop as 3D elements. Use 3D tools to set up perspective and with a new layer draw on top. Once main sketch complete turn off or remove 3D environment and begin to build background using Photoshop bushes and other tools to create background with great perceptive and Taylormade imagery.
à The environment was built in Maya. Basic props where then created and everything separated onto individual layers. I gave all the elements including the roof and floor a white toon render with a black outline. I set up a camera for each shot and then rendered out a test of all the individual elements and saved as an .IFF. I maintained a solid file structure and folder system as to not confuse each shot and all its elements. I opened each folder one at a time in Photoshop and compiled the shot into one image. This shot was then saved as its appropriate name i.e.: SC4_SH2. From here each element was redrawn and colored using the Maya IFF as a reference. Again each element remained on separate layers. Once all the coloring was finished the shot was imported into After Effects and assembled. Because the Maya IFF’s where taken at a slightly wider angle the AF camera had slightly more freedom when repositioning shots.
Clouds/Cloud beard
à Photoshop drawing with layers that can be manipulated
1. 2D Photoshop combined puppet tool/key frames AE
· Positive: Stylised
· Negative: Might look dodgy
2. 3D Maya
· Positive: Quicker
· Negative: Not stylised
· Positive: Accurate
Solution: Again build reference in Maya. Use that reference to create actuate cloud element. Use Photoshop to create several different clouds and then using After Effect controllers to animate on a cycle.
à A 2D hand drawn reference was created in flash. First I used a sold line pivoting from Avery face to give the beard the correct dimensions and also to figure out accurate timing. From there I just animated traditionally i.e. the start, mid and end point, then adding all the in-betweens. I made an animated graphic and exported the reference from Flash and into AE. In AE I used a test image and masked out the 2D beard reference. From here I simply just animated the mask the to reference. I feathered the mask and the image below is revealed more with the movements of the mark. I wanted the beard to get to a certain point and then for clouds to break away and the beard to build. To achieve this I tested using a second mask that come in at a certain point and breaks the end point away. I then key framed the feather on that piece and let it feather until it disappeared. This process will be repeated in a similar way to break other pieces of the cloud beard away. All of above is a test and may need to be altered again. I think I should find a nice hair flowing in the wind reference. At first I thought it should move like clouds but I now think it should move more like hair and add the clouds over top.
Character Builds/Character animation
à Photoshop drawing with body parts on separate layers that can be individually manipulated using AE
1. Photoshop layers combined with puppet tool/key frames AE
· Positive: Visually Effective
· Negative: Stiff
· Negative: Similar problems to last year
2. Photoshop layers combined with a controller system in AE
· Negative: New territory
· Positive: Efficient
· Negative: Unable to utilise tools with such flat characters
Solution: Build characters in Photoshop. Create character all elements of body in: Front, Profile, ¾, Behind and 2 in between. Create replacement hands to be used in separate shots, i.e. holding, gripping, painting etc. Once complete import into AE and create controller system linking all layers and elements. Animate using AE key frames and easy ease to ensure motion is fluid. The main aim is to create a character that is less stiff and more animate-able then last year.
à A model sheet for each character was created in PS. From here each character was redrawn in elements, textured and coloued from the colour pallet. The individual elements where imported into AE and pre comped.
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| Pre Production Schedule |
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| Production + Post Schedule |
DATA MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
I honestly think one thing that let me down last year was my file structure. At first it was fine but as production went on the files built up. I just started putting them in what I thought was logical folders however when trying to find things later on this was clearly not the case. I actually didn’t notice the problem until I went back to re edit for festivals. I couldn’t find anything. I couldn’t find shots or the most resent version of things and it was awful. When I think back the last month of “Pieced Together” was crazy. I was getting frustrated and aggravated at every turn and as a result I just started saving things EVERYWHERE. This year I need to pre-empt that scenario and be prepared for the worst. I am organised enough to plan for it but I just have to make sure when it happens I can take a deep breath and just remember how crap it was not being able to find things you need.
So basically I will maintain a pretty similar file structure as to last year but try hard to keep it SUPER organised.
Okay, so far so good. I’m trying really hard to keep things organised and in folders. I have adopted the whole SC1-SH-01 idea. Its definitely helping, as I tend to do things 1000 times. I have promised myself not to call ANYTHING finished or complete, just sticking to the numbering system.
The main folder I seem to be using at the moment is Development folder. In which the two main subfolders are Character and Environment. They are both organised well and I am able to locate things with ease. Another folder I use often is the Test’s folder. All subfolders are named appropriately and also colour coded as to what they are a test off.
So basically ask me again in 3 months.
BACKUP PLAN
To purchase:
1X Terabyte HD
1X 320 Gigabyte HD
To do:
Back up anything I want to keep
Reformate Mac Book Pro
Partition Original Terabyte HD
· 500 Gigabyte Mac
· 500 Gigabyte PC
To start 3rd year production I needed to put 2nd year in the past. My HD of my Mac was getting really full and as a result my Mac was running super slow. The first thing I needed to do was take everything from Pieced Together off my Mac and put it on a 320 Gig HD. After I copied all the Documents and music etc to the Partitioned Terabyte HD.
Once everything was backed up I booted from the operating disk and whipped my Mac HD. I reinstalled all my software and copied “Clouded” back to my Mac HD. I then took the new Terabyte HD and partitioned it: 500g for Time Machine and 500g for whatever else. I then did another backup of “Pieced Together” to that HD. The Time Machine HD is stationary @ my desk and my Mac is plugged in when I’m not using it. Time Machine does a minor back up every 30 minutes and a major once a day.
I will use the Partitioned HD for Uni, as it is the only one that will be recognized in a PC and Mac.
So basically the to be able to back up I need to reformat, buy 2 new Hard Drives and a partition of an old HD. Now time machine will take care of the rest. I will also copy the “Clouded” folder to the partitioned HD once a month JIC.
Alright all of the above was completed. I purchased and partitioned. The only thing from above I haven’t been doing is backing up onto the Partitioned hard drive all the time. I think once I get into production and I have more things and bigger files to back up I will. I will also use it to store both Maya files and MAC files. I have been using my external HDD connected to time machine to back up most nights. I just plug it in when I get home and leave it to do its thing. Another good thing I have found is Time Machine notifies you if it has been more then 5 days since a back up. So if I do happen to see it I back up straight away. I have also put in measures to avoid disasters. I do not carry water in my bag with my laptop. I keep my laptop and tablet in a case at all times. I think I will separate them into individual cases when production starts, as I wont have to bring as much stuff to uni with me. I never leave my bag in the car if I’m parked somewhere and if I do have to I lock it in my car boot. So backup plan, on track and going well.
