Some more cool things: Holloween Style

So first of all, after having my mid term review, I was advised to just make beautiful and vibrant and interesting things... so maybe not get so practical with the motion graphic stuff.  So I think I am going to go back to doing the multiplane/retelling a story thing but not get stuck in this stylistic box.  Also, I am thinking of doing a story in honor of Halloween...so maybe do like The Legend of Sleepy Hollow...or something with the Headless Horseman... or maybe the Goose Girl from the Grimm's Fairy Tales.... In any case... here is something awesome I found while watching random things: Click HERE to enjoy.

Fall 2011: Post Midterm Crit

So, after midterm crit, after evaluating where I want to go next-what themes I want to work with, but also, thinking about what can I create so that I can have the skill sets I need to get the job that I want I've come to this:

I think I am going to work on creating something similar to a title sequence so I can work on my motion graphics, however, instead of it being a title sequence, it will tell a quick story-a short story retold to be exact.  I will also use text as a way to tell the story (as opposed to stating names of actors, directors, etc.).

Some inspiration I have come acrossed are as follows:

Once Upon a Time, When There Was Nothing Good on T.V. ...

Well, here it is.  I think it is a step up from the last one, I hope you think so too.  Enjoy!

[Apple]

Here's my animation from last week, check it out:

As for the next (and probably final animation before Midterms), I am going to continue with the Apple and probably recreate Snow White in 30 seconds, with the biting of the apple being the central focus/climax.  I hope to do this using my multipane construction that I built a few weeks ago.  So I need to story board, buy textured paper, and figure out how I am going to mount my camera....One more week to go before Midterm Crit - Gotta get going!

Bianca Ansems

Another amazing animator that uses the multi-pannel technique, Bianca Ansems.  Check it out!

Especially pay attention to the London International Animation Festival trailer. Enjoy!

Awesome Dexter Opening Sequence (Fan Made)

Just something I found while I was poking around the internet:

And here is the original:

(side note: created by Digital Kitchen-a design agency I would LOVE to work for!)

Multipane construction!

So this is what I've been building in my studio!  This will help me create paper animations similar to the ones shown below (Etude).  I also show an example of how these physical layers can be combined into one image.  Enjoy!

Multipane Construction

Composite

Above image separated into layers

Paint

Just finished another of my "Animate Objects" series.  When creating this I kind of set a challenge for myself.  On Monday, I brought my camera in (and of course forgot my cords to connect it to my laptop, so I had to animate blindly) and knew I was going to animate something, but did not have a preset idea before I got to studio.  The animation was thus created during my studio time, and the illustration animations were done afterwards.  Here is the final take:

Just some cool things to look at...

Here are some cool things I have stumbled upon tonight:

But the coolest part is watching the making of this HERE.  There is some really great technical tips!

I found this on Motiongrapher.com's website .  Check it out.  Such a great resource!

Some more awesome animations (inspiration maybe?)

 

(brownie points to Jon Yee who told me about this)

Ania Leszczynska

So I was surfing the Dragon Stop Motion site-checking out the new projects posted and came acrossed this talented animator: Ania Leszczynska.  Here is an example of her recent work, Etude...the awesome thing is when I watched the making of how this was created, she had the SAME set up I did with my paper animations :-).  I want to go back to this, though I don't know when-I don't know how long I should stick with the objects project-maybe just till the midterm and then the second half of the semester I will pick this paper animation back up....maybe I'll do a remake of my "Remember When" animation from like five years ago....

In the meantime I am editing another Animate Object...I hope to have that up in the next few days, so look out for that... until then...

[LOST OBJECT]: Marble Bag

New Animation!!! Check it out!

Animate Objects!

Sorry it has been a while since I last posted....in any case, here was the final animations for the 7 Project Assignment:

At first I decided to do these quick animations revolving around objects as a way to quickly get back into animating-however, I enjoyed this process so much that I decided to continue with this at least for Midterm.  I am going to stick to animating objects as a way to let the viewer see "the hidden life of objects."  My goal is to try and create two a week and create an electronic newsletter that I can send out bi-weekly to let interested people keep updated with my shorts.  Also, after talking with Melissa Pokorny (one of my studio TA's), she directed me to two books: The Tears of Things, and The Object Reader.  She also suggested using these resources along with other books/internet to research different philosophies around objects: how some cultures believe objects have souls, that there are good and evil objects, etc. This past week I have been doing a lot of research and trying to cut away at some of the dense readings in The Object Reader.  Now I need to start animating.  I'll post as I create... until then...

[Edit]

I forgot to add a few interesting links from my research:
HERE is a video of "The Secret Life of Things" which is related to sustainability which could be intersteing
HERE is a link about this TV show called "Wonderfalls" where objects come to life but only the main character can see-lots of symbolism/etc.
HERE is some insight on "animism"-the belief that objects have souls

7 Days, 7 Projects-GO!

We received our first project on Monday-"You have seven days, create seven pieces, go!".

I've decided to create short storyboards/animations that involved everyday inanimate objects, and bringing them to life.  Some inspiration for this direction is the "Bent Objects" series by Terry Border.  You can check out some of his stuff here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgDynGCzpjg
OR...

However, I am more focused on sound and what the objects might say; what their onomatopoeia would be if they could make sound and how to create a narrative around that.  I started off by creating three story boards with the goal of animating these three story boards in the next three days;  Then for the seventh project I will compile the projects into a website and/or flash project of sorts-what that will look like I am still unsure...but for now:

I'm already starting off to a strong start [I hope]-this year will be crazy- got to appreciate every moment of this because when we get out into the real world, the space, community, time, won't be the same.

Three days until the assignment is due and four projects left-GO!  Until Monday...

Senior Studio: And it Begins

Here is a start to a new year- new studio space, new projects, same community-and I love it.  We shall see what is to come.

New Slate: Sustainability!

So, after having my freak out, I realized that I needed more out of my work-I want my work to be able to change the world (as cliche as that sounds).  I feel like I need to have more satisfaction out of my work-thus, I have decided to focus my work on Sustainability and Green Design here on Campus.  Here are some preliminary links/research into some issues that could be explored:

Green Roof in Chicago:

Windmills in Illinois HERE

Colleges and their source of energy:  Has U of I and how much CO2 they submit into the air, etc.  Great Link

Office of Sustainability at U of I

MTD going GREEN!

Breakdown of Energy on Campus 

Students for Environmental Concerns (SECs)


THE STORY OF STUFF:

[End of First Half of the Semester] It's Been a While......

Yes, yes yes... I know kids... I've been falling behind here.  Honestly, it is because towards the end here, I've been hating my work.  I finally finished the Inception/Penrose series, but had a hard time finishing it because I kept asking myself: "Who the 'H' care?!"  So I am kind of happy to be done with that and now I can work with a new slate!  But here is that project anyways:

Note: I'll have to post it later-it's on my external back at home and I'm in studio...

Penrose Steps! Foam Core Model, heck yes!

Hey Boys and Girls!

So today at studio I created some "Fake" Penrose Steps!  From the top it is suppose to look like never ending steps, but like Inception, I will show that they are actually ending stairs.  Here is the foam core model!  After doing the model, I figured out the things that needed to be changed, etc.  So in the next couple days I hope to make a finalized foam model before making it into wood.  However, if my foam core model is good and works... I might just spray paint it black and use that as the actual... we'll see.  Anywho...here it is:

*   *   *  

Here is a cool youtube video that shows you how to draw the penrose steps:

And here is just a fun animation inspired by these steps:

[Assignment Two] The Scary Kitchen and What Not

So like I said before, Assignment Two is to just continue working on stuff like Assignment One.  So, to start off, I redid the kitchen scene... I went home this weekend, so I was a little less impacient when filming.  I still used a tripod (and you can tell) because the movements are a little jerkey still, but compared to the first attempted it went a lot smoother.  I had less extreme angles in the shot to try that out... it was easier to make the camera movements but I think visually I actually kind of like the angled look.  Also, later on, I want to add sound to this piece.  But here it it!:

*   *    *   

Also, as far as for the next few weeks, I decided to start with redoing the penrose stairs shot from Inception.  I have made some drawings and his week I hope to complete a foam core model to see about size, etc.  Then I want to create a wood set.  Just have to figure out how I want to show environment (build it, green screen, etc.)

Check out HERE for a nice rendering of the stairs from inception!

[Assignment One]: Project Eight and Beyond!

Hey guys!  So I finally animated the kitchen scene (Project Eight).  I see this animation as more of a draft.  It is very jerky and I would not call this complete, however, the idea is there.  While animating, I found out that using the 50 mm prime lens was not what I wanted.  It made the close up scenes blurry.  Luckily I had my 18-135mm Canon lens on hand and that gave me more of the look I wanted.  Also, in the final, I would want him to have more red stuff on his fingers and face.  But still check it out!

*   *   *   

So on Monday I met with Ryan and he had a few suggestions for me.  The most memorable one came at the end of our discussion when he suggested maybe taking iconic movies/scenes and recreating 10 second scenes from them.  For some reason, I thought this could be very interesting, and would also get me away from trying to worry about coming up with creative narratives.  Tim also thought this could be an interesting processes to go through and would also help me become more away of camera movements, etc.  Some scenes that I have thought of are the shower scene from Psycho (obvious, i know, but I still love it), the rain/escape scene in Shawshank Redemption, and the Penrose step scene in Inception.  I will continue to look at different scenes and maybe sketch out some ideas and story board sequences.  Until Friday....

 

 

Paper Prototyping!

Hey guys... so here is that kiosk stop motion/paper prototyping video my group made this weekend for Interactivity I.  Enjoy!

[Assignment One]: Project Six and Seven: The Final Stretch!

Hey boys and girls!  So today, I finally (well, for the most part) finished the armature!  Head and all!

Going into it, I wanted him to be a boy (around 12 years old) but while creating the head I realized I had no idea how I was going to achieve hair.  So i went with something simple and a little more ambiguous for now..... we'll see how it goes.  I'm still loving his hands!-So proud.  Maybe for the next one, I will make a foam latext model.  I do have a 101 DVD on it!

*   *   *   

I also finished up another "scene" project.  This was a fun excersise to see what I could create in a couple hours using the materials and tools I had.  I created this bus stop scene and added a "kiosk" on the side to use as an establishing shot for a project in my Interactivity I class.  I also think it could be fun to explore this kiosk idea for studio.

*  *   *  

As for the final project I plan on creating that "comic"/story of pictures in the kitchen using the armature I made.  Hopefully I will have that up by Monday..Hopefully.  Wish me luck... we are in the Final Stretch!

[Assignment One]: Project Five and Six

So, finally finished the kitchen the other day.  Thought I would post a photo of it.  I think I followed my drawing (project four) very well. 

 As for project six, making the armature, it is coming along.. but I had some set backs.  I had to remake a head as the other head I had for it was too small.  Here is a photo of the hand (awesome right!) So much better than the first one I tried.  I have the whole body complete, now I am making the cloths for it.

As far as sewing the cloths, I tried to make him PJs out of this plaid fabric, but it was fraying all over the place.  So instead I am making them out of black felt.  I felt like felt would be easier to handle.  When I become more experienced, Ill start using more complex fabrics.  I found a great pattern for the pants as well:

 As far as the next couple projects, I decided to create a story board drawn out and then a "comic" (using photographs) instead of a full on stop motion as a way to speed up the process but still be able to use the final product as a study/research for the next Assignment, Assignment 2 (which is to complete one or more projects in a month).  Hopefully I can finish the rest of the cloths and head by Friday morning!  Until then....


Oh yea, check this out, this is the smallest stop motion.. the way they used the technology is very innovative and cleaver.  Great solutions!

And here is the making of...

Week Four Updates

SOOOO... I know it has been a while since I last blogged-sorry guys.  I have recently been working on finishing up two projects (project 5 and 6) simultaneously.  I have been building a new armature and building the kitchen.  The armature looks beautiful.  Thanks to that youtube video posted a couple weeks ago, my hands look amazing!  I know, so modest right.  All that is left are the cloths and head.  As far as the kitchen goes, all I need to do is put all the pieces together.  I hope to have both pieces done by Wednesday so I can start shooting the short (project 7) by Wednesday night.

While I have been creating my armature, I have been thinking about different stylistic ideas.  For example, many characters have skinny bodies, or big hands and feet, or a big head, etc.   I watched James and the Giant Peach last weekend and really liked the "bigger head" look.  I also like the idea of using black dots for eyes.  I think stylistically it is simple and clean, and as far as animating, might be a little easier for now.

*   *   *

I also met with Tim last week and he told me that working on my technical skills is a good idea, but he will be pushing my creative side-why am I making what I am making.  What does it mean?  What am I trying to say with the materials I am using.  We started talking about my interests outside of the art realm-ultimate frisbee, cooking, etc.  I really like the idea of trying to marriage these two things together-stop motion with my interests/hobbies.  It got me thinking about a stop motion animation I saw last year called Western Spegetti, which marriages cooking/food with stop motion that almost only could be done through that process/material.  I hope to find some solutions/stories that are similar to that.

I am excited for where future projects will take me because I have a feeling that there are so many possibilities, however, I have no idea where I will go from here.  Hopefully I will have more pictures of my projects up by the end of the week.  Until then...

[Assignment One]: Project Four

So I went with the kitchen photograph.  For the next couple of projects I will be working up to creating a stop motion that takes place in this space-the creepy kitchen.  I based my design on the first one I made (the one from the photograph), however, I added a few more things like a refrigerator, oven/stove, and sink.  I looked up standard sizes of all the appliances and cabinets and created the drawing according so.  Check it out!  Next step/project is to build the thing!

Also, below is my first sketch to try and figure out the right width of the cabinets.  I read that they come in increments of 3 inches.. so 9, 12, 15, etc.  Below is having them be 12 inches wide, but that was way too skinny.  Above is 21 inches wide.

Eureka!!!

So I was having a hard time brain storming different scene ideas.  Then....EUERKA!!! I started to think about things I have created in the past and realized I have a lot to work with!  Above are some photographs I created while in Photography I (OSU)-the ark- and Photography II (U of I)-the cat scene and the kitchen scene.  It makes me excited to see that I have a lot of material to work with as inspiration and that I do not have to come up with completely new ideas.  Lets see how I can reword some of these previous projects into a finished project!

Snow Adventures!!!

And no, I am not talking about the snow storm from this week. 

Erica (the TA for this studio), showed me the artists  Walter Martin and Paloma Muñoz.    They create these crazy snow globes with interesting settings/narratives in them, while creating beautiful colors, etc.  They all have a little humor to them too.  I thought maybe these scenes could be inspirational for my next project-creating environments to animation.  I like the idea of having some kind of crazy narrative or something like the above example. How did that guy get stuck?  How did the boat get out of the water like that?  What's on the ground?  I think it is interesting how I can create my own narrative by answering these questions for myself.. and how every viewers interpretation will be different.

[Assignment One]: Project Three

So I used a reference video for this one as a guide (the same reference video from Project Two).  Some movements I had to change because the armature could not handle certain movements.  Overall, I think my movement of the figure (weight change, etc.) looks better.  However, there was a few times that I accidentally hit the camera and you can see the change.  If I were to redue this, I would tape down everything and make sure I did not hit the backdrop, light, camera, etc.  I also wish my armature's feet laid flat.  Lastly, I would try for maybe 15 frames for second (ideally 24 frames per second but I do not have the time for that for now).  This piece was done at 10 frames per second.

*  *  *

After talking with Ryan (one of my instructors/guides) for this studio, I kind of want to explore environments- creating an environment/scene and maybe just animate small things (like leaves on the tree or maybe a character could be in it but doing something minimal).  I am also awaiting for more aluminum wire so I can make a complete armature.  Let's see what I can come up with for the next couple projects...

Everything Will Be Okay

So two days ago, a friend of mine showed me "Everything Will Be Okay" from Don Hertzfeldt.  I have already seen his "Rejected" series and thought they were hilarious.  I was very intrigued by this animation, especially because I watched it while in the middle of creating Project Two-where I was drawing stick figures, frame by frame.  Though, my animation does not carry nearly as much depth (haha).  Check it out.  It is more than just a simple story about a stick character.  I especially enjoy the added photo montage and attention to detail.  Enjoy!

You can find the movie here

Also, if you haven't seen the Rejected series, you can find it out below(my favorite is the spoon one, I don't know why...):

[Project Two] Stick Figures are NOT as fun as they seem

So I took video of myself going through the motions of bouncing a ball.  I did not have a ball around that was the size that I wanted but I did have an orange around, so the reference video still is not as accurate and realistic as I would have probably liked.  For the bouncing of the ball, I had to kind of test out where it looked like it should be.  Then I brought the movie into photoshop and had photoshop create a 3 frames for every second roughly and then I went through each frame, tracing the body (in stick figure form).  This "exercise" was meant to be a study-to pay attention especially to weight shifting and little movements that maybe I would not have noticed that I do if I had not had to trace 150 frames.  At the end of the day, this took plus seven hours of work, and I think I would have learned more from just reanimating the first project blind five times.  But I guess we will see the difference between project one and when I complete project three before I speak too soon!

[Assignment One]: Project One

I followed my "guide" posted below and practiced animating my figure with an inanimate object-a ball, for Project One.  The trick with this is that the ball needed a rig for a few of the frames.  Here is a link to the rough cut with the rig:

After photoshoping the rig out, adding a light in After Effects and adding some rough sound effects, here is the final product:

After doing this Project, I have realized that I kind of want to go back and do it again to practice as I think the bonce of the ball could be a little more precise, as well as the stance of the figure could have been moved a little better as far as making the weight shifting more believe able (bends in knees).  For this animation, I kind of "ad libed" the animation as I went.  For the next one, I think I will story board a little more, do a flash drawing animation to get the movements right and then use that as a reference video (Project Two) for the next video (Project Three).  While I am making these next two Projects, I will be creating another armature.  This guy's arm already is starting to break because I used too thick of wire for the arms.  So while I wait for the thinner wire to be shipped to me, I will continue working with this guy.  I have to have that next Project ready to go tomorrow for Studio... looks like a long night at the computer is ahead of me!  Until tomorrow...

Wire, Foam and Expoxy, Oh My!

So, before I can create these mini stop motions, I need to build an armature.  I just recently purchased "The Advanced Art of Stop Motion Animation."    This book has become my bible.  What is so great about it is that it was published in 2010, so it has all of the up to date information about the best ways to create these things with current technology.

I followed the way to build an armature that was written in the book and found I was having a hard time building up the fingers.  After contacting Tom Brierton and comming a crossed the video "Make a Build up Puppet" I started to create another armature.  Haven't started the hands yet, but lets keep our fingers crossed!

Cheers!

[Assignment One] Two Projects a Week

So, it is Monday, and the start of a new Assignment, to create two projects a week for four weeks. The works have to be resolved, but can be studies of sorts (they do not have to be completely polished pieces), but they do have to be looked at as a series.

I have decided to continue exploring stop motion further by focusing on one technique at a time. Here is the list of techniques I have decided to work on:

1. Contact with an inanimate object
2. Lighting
3. Camera Movement
4. Walk Cycle
5. Contact with an animate object
6. Green Screen
7. Special Effects in Camera (Rain)
8. Lip Sync

Junior Studio Take Two

Who: Junior Painting, Sculpting, and New Media majors at the University of Illinois
What: Studio; a time to work on specific work related to your chosen field
When: Spring 2011, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9am-11:40
Where: Flagg Hall, University of Illinois
Why: Because we are art students, that's why.