For our modelling animation we have been set a task using autodesk Maya, prior to this module I have had no experience with Maya, and very limited experience with other 3D modelling programs. As an introduction to modelling in the program, we were set a task to model a truck, with a walk through to help us learn how modelling in Maya works.
At first I found modelling the truck to be unwieldy and frustrating, with certain aspects proving to be difficult, which lead to me being disheartened by the others in my class racing ahead of me. However I gradually got the hang of it and completed the truck.
Although, all problems aside, I enjoyed modelling the truck, I feel I need to continue working at Maya, and constantly improve my skills.
Friday, 10 February 2012
Maya: 3 point lighting
An important part of film, both live action and animated is lighting. In maya lighting is fairly simple, with various lights available for a variety of purposes.
Examples include: Directional Light, this light is often used to represent sunlight, with all the light travelling in a single direction, however the arrow used to represent the light is not the source, and the light will travel in the direction of the arrow throughout the entire scene until blocked by a solid object.
Point light, this light is essentially a light bulb, being a small point of bright light.
Spot light, this light behaves like a stage light, with a conical beam that can by directed to receive the desired effect.
Examples include: Directional Light, this light is often used to represent sunlight, with all the light travelling in a single direction, however the arrow used to represent the light is not the source, and the light will travel in the direction of the arrow throughout the entire scene until blocked by a solid object.
Point light, this light is essentially a light bulb, being a small point of bright light.
Spot light, this light behaves like a stage light, with a conical beam that can by directed to receive the desired effect.
Monday, 6 February 2012
Prometheus
Ever since its announcement I have been eagerly anticipating the Alien prequel Prometheus. The film sees Ridley Scott, the director of the original film, return to the franchise as director, although with an entirely different cast. Although information on the film scarce, it has been interesting seeing some of the developments as it has gone through production, leading it further away from the franchise, instead being less about the Xenomorph Creatures and more about the "Space Jockeys".
I have been a fan of the Alien franchise since I saw the second film, which then prompted me to get the quadrilogy box-set, thoroughly enjoying the other films, also leading me to read the novelizations. And as such I am really excited to see the developments and expansions to the franchise.
I have been a fan of the Alien franchise since I saw the second film, which then prompted me to get the quadrilogy box-set, thoroughly enjoying the other films, also leading me to read the novelizations. And as such I am really excited to see the developments and expansions to the franchise.
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Animator: Jamie Hewlett
Since I first saw the Gorillaz "Clint Eastwood" music video as a child, I have become a massive fan of Jamie Hewlett and his unique art style. Jamie Hewlett's artwork possesses a unique quality I have never seen replicated anywhere else. As co-creator of Gorillaz, Hewlett was responsible for designing the characters, and came up with unique personalities for the four fictional musicians of the band.
Also the 2-D animations of the music videos and band characters allows for unique situations that a live action music video would be unable to achieve.
Gorillaz videos also have a tendency to use a composition of 2-D animation, CG Animation and Live action footage, which is perhaps best seen in the video to Feel Good Inc. but can also be seen to an extent in the video to Stylo which mainly features CGI and Live action footage.
Also the 2-D animations of the music videos and band characters allows for unique situations that a live action music video would be unable to achieve.
Gorillaz videos also have a tendency to use a composition of 2-D animation, CG Animation and Live action footage, which is perhaps best seen in the video to Feel Good Inc. but can also be seen to an extent in the video to Stylo which mainly features CGI and Live action footage.
Animator: Cyriak
A short while ago, we received a talk from the animator Cyriak, although I had seen Cyriak's animations before, I couldn't put name to work, so to speak. However I found that his animations were really enjoyable and strangely amusing.
Cyriak has a distinct style that often shows ordinary animals or TV personalities transforming or acting in rather strange and surreal manners.
Below is the animation Cows & Cows & Cows, which starts off simply as cows in a field that begin dancing and then start transforming into abstract objects and cow-spiders.
Cyriak's unique style is made by taking photographs, screenshots or videos and then altering them frame by frame using Photoshop and After Effects. However what really interested me is how he got into animating freelance. He started out by working in an office and learning how to animate in his spare time, which led to him being made redundant when he started making more animations at home and posting them up on youtube, which gradually lead to commissions.
Cyriak has a distinct style that often shows ordinary animals or TV personalities transforming or acting in rather strange and surreal manners.
Below is the animation Cows & Cows & Cows, which starts off simply as cows in a field that begin dancing and then start transforming into abstract objects and cow-spiders.
Cyriak's unique style is made by taking photographs, screenshots or videos and then altering them frame by frame using Photoshop and After Effects. However what really interested me is how he got into animating freelance. He started out by working in an office and learning how to animate in his spare time, which led to him being made redundant when he started making more animations at home and posting them up on youtube, which gradually lead to commissions.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Group Film Work: General Tech Crew
As part of our group film projects I took on the roles of the general tech crew, rigging up the lighting, tripods, green screens and other studio necessities. I found this to be most enjoyable, and to be the area I personally excelled at in terms of overall skill, which I attribute to my previous experience of working backstage with the theatre technicians on a performance I was acting in.
I was able to figure out almost all problems that I came across in my work, and soon learned to work quickly with setting up allowing for maximum film time.
My tech crew skills also meant that I ended up working on other group's projects, setting up and lighting their green screen.
Unfortunately I don't have any screenshots showing my work
I was able to figure out almost all problems that I came across in my work, and soon learned to work quickly with setting up allowing for maximum film time.
My tech crew skills also meant that I ended up working on other group's projects, setting up and lighting their green screen.
Unfortunately I don't have any screenshots showing my work
1 Minute Instructional video storyboard
For our 1 minute instructional video we were required to create a storyboard. Because the video would mostly be done by myself with a small amount of help from a friend where needed, I just sketched out a very simple storyboard just to help me figure out the sequence. Admittedly the angles I had decided on for the storyboard ended up being changed due to constraints in the space being filmed, I found the storyboard really helped me figure out the way the film would be put together.
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