Discovery channel research

Discovery channel is an international TV channel that broadcasted in many countries. Its programmes included science, technology and history documentary etc. As it is formative and educational, it is suitable for all age range and gender. 

Video with animation

Animal Planet : 2008 Idents : Dog ident  13sec

Penguin animation

Animal Planet : 2012 Idents : Penguins ident (HD) 12sec

Oil ident

Discovery Science : 2008 Idents : Oil ident 12sec

animal fightclub ident

Animal Planet : Current Idents : Fight Club ident 17sec

I research for the animal idents because I really like watching animal documentary from the discovery channels. I also like the oil ident because it is scientific when magnified. These inspire me and maybe it is a good idea to combine both animals and scientific elements in order to make the ident more professional.

You Spin Me Right Round:Final animation

I scanned in all the drawings and make it a gif just for a rough overview. After that, I edited the colour and lighting by using photoshop so as to make it clean and tidy. 

This is the finish product of this brief. I am proud of myself and the effort I put into this brief. This is so enjoyable and useful in terms of improving my life drawing skills. I noticed that observational drawings are essential that could aid the understanding the portion, structures and other details of the object (or any environment and figures). I also like the idea of tracing after colour pencil which is something I have never tried before and I want to embrace this ability every now and then. If I can do it again, I want to paint the object and try to draw in bigger scale. I think it is challenging to get precise portion and volume but I definitely like this task where I can also use my new light box!

After the crit, Mike suggests I can reverse the animation so as to make the cat chasing its own tail which I have never thought about. It is an intriguing suggestion that encourage me to consider every small details before animating which could make a difference conceptually.

You spin me right round: production

I used books to make the object to eye level and use colour pencil to draw the rough outline and content first then use pencil to trace and fill in the details and refine the lines.

I marked the position of the object every time I turn it but it did not work that well. I had trouble getting a consistence volume of the object while turning the object and observing at the same time. I also turn the object too little by little which will be will more than 12 frames per second therefore I used another method.

It is growing!

The solution is to mark the twelve position first. Therefore the object can get to exact position I want and use the circle as the centre point, the posture of the object is easier to capture and to be studied.

What is more, I have a reference paper where I sketch on it first then trace the drawing again on another paper in order to get the clean and correct sketch. Any changes will be made on the reference paper instead so the animation would be tidy and with no wrinkles.

I used different colour pencils on the reference paper because it is difficult to spot the lines in the same colour. I find this method extremely helpful and very professional. What I think I could improve is that to soften the reference drawings so that there will have no pencil marks on the back of the working papers.

You spin me right round: 12 drawings of the object

We are drawing and animating a turnaround object of our own choice, it needs to be 12 drawings, 12 frames per second and it should spin 360 degree. To start off, I found some interesting objects on my desk and tried to draw them.

The first thing I found is a little umbrella decoration that you can usually get when drinking. Since I am so bad at drawing umbrella (no doubt it is the hardest thing to draw on Earth!) so I thought it would be a good chance to do some challenge. However, after the first two drawings, I think it is too difficult to draw with consistence and extremely time consuming.

Then I was looking at another object which is my mug but it is not that interesting comparatively. Nevertheless, I noticed a lot of details and structure that I have never noticed before.

Finally, I found this Jiji decoration the black cat from Kiki's Delivery Service. It is a solid black object, hard, heavy and have a beautiful silhouette therefore I decided to work with it. I want to do some initial sketching and make myself familiar with the shape in different angels.

I considered about the lighting and shades. I do not want to paint it pitch black as I want to keep the reflection. After these drawings, I am confident to draw with consistence and understand the shape better.

E4 Idents research

The brief requires us to understand the channel, what the programme and the target audience. 

The E4 channel is a pop-culture channel, its target audiences are in the age-range of 13-35 and it is broadcast in a few countries. The clients requires the ident to be 10 seconds long and show their logo not only at the end with some license free sound.

I looked up the identlibrary.com and here are some E4 ident in the past that inspires me,

Christmas ident

E4 : Christmas 2014 : Baubles sting 17sec

Christmas ident

E4 : Christmas 2013 : Christmas sting (3) 12sec

Ident

E4 : Current E Stings : E Stings (5) 38sec

idents mix

E4 : Current E Stings : E Stings (3) 50sec

Since I have not watched any E4 idents before, these gave me a rough ideas what style they are looking for and it is quite clear that they are looking for visually and conceptually interesting new idents. I especially like the Idents mix which show a lot of varieties and diversity that really show that the flexibility of style on this channel. Therefore, I think I am going for some creative and cool stuffs teenage might enjoy, something not too serious and innovative. I want the ident to be attention catching by using stop motion or drawn animation with pop-culture style.

Maya modelling experiment:final product

After a few more tests on the tools, I have created the final product! The final arrangements include the change of liquid shape, colour of the liquid, and level of the object and the material use on the metal. I am very pleased with the final object and I have learnt a lot useful skills by experimenting and learning from youtube. I want to improve the sculpting skill, it is the most difficult part for me when making the curve on top. Also I messed up with the plane object, there is a problem that the plane would not be shown when rendering. Other than that, it is a positive experience and it is very useful for me in the future and this is definitely worth exploring deeper.

I really enjoy the texture of water and how realistic it is in maya. The tube is also a hard part to work with and luckily it turns out pretty fine which I was really proud with.

Maya modelling experiment

After the truck induction on maya, I have download maya from the internet on my mac and started playing with. There are a lot of different shapes that I can use as the initial point to construct an object.  I was so confused about the edges and vertex as I do not know when and how to use them. However, playing around with shapes and experimenting make me feel more comfortable using maya.

I decided to construct my perfume by maya. The first things I noticed are the round shapes, the curvy metal top and the liquid. I think it will be a challenge and will be quite fun to experiment with different tools and functions.

I started with an orb and cut it in half, create a flat bottom and wanting to round the edge using Bevel but I failed to do that.

I could not figure out what I have done wrong (after hundreds of tests), so I decided to set it aside first and work on the top.

I mainly use vertex tools to construct the curvy top and it is very hard to get a precise shape. I found creating edges help to make a round edges and the more the edges, the smoother the curves. 

I fed up on the first experiment and create ears for it. Although they are nor identical (I do not know how to make them identical), it is amazing but much maya can do and basically, it can create any shape as long as you know how to master it.

I started with another new project and this time attempted to make a round edge where the metal and the glass meet. I used edge tool, created different levels by inserting more edges and fold in. I am very happy with this test and I think it is successful.

Next, I used both edges and vertex tools to create the curve top. Although it is still not perfect, I will say it is better than the first attempt and starting to be more familiar with different tools and functions in maya.

Researching on youtube...looking at tutorial of making glass objects!

First product: I created a metal top and glass bottom, with a layer of liquid and a tube inside. I think this is a great success for me since I was just a beginner. I want to improve it but adjusting the environment light, the colour and the level of the liquid and the material of the metal top. 

Choosing briefs

I have chosen brief 2a idents in the next module OUAN 406. The reason why I chose to work 
on ident is because it is an interesting topic that is more likely I will encounter in the career in 
the future and which is a good opportunity to get a taste of working in professional manner.
 Whereas there are two more briefs I did not choose is because I am not familiar with the 
topic, in this case reading books or UK charity, as I want to work on the topic confidently.

I choose two out of four channels to create an ident for them,
  
1)E4 – Pop culture entertainment.

"Hey there, we want a new animated ident that smacks of E4 attitude and can be played 
on the telly during the daytime so, no naughty stuff!! It has to be exactly 10 seconds long 
and include our wicked logo, preferably included in the animation and not just at the end. 
The sound bed (that's technical speak for backing track) ought to reflect our irreverence 
and most importantly be an original composition or license free, it's fine to include sound 
effects too. Awesome stuff, can't wait to see your work!!"

2)Discovery Channel – Reality TV and pseudo-scientific entertainment.

"Right, let me get straight to the point.... we need a new ident for our channel and you're 
the person with the knowledge to get it done..... animator vs ident.... nice.... I'll save that 
idea for later, could get some viewing figures out of it once we're done with the sharks eh! 
Anyway... back to why I've contacted you, we've seen your work and we think that you'd
 be able to do our channel justice so what about it, are you up for the challenge? There's
 a couple of things that you need to know before you start.... Number 1... it needs to be
 exactly ten seconds long. Number 2.... our logo needs to be shown. and C........ You've
 got to have permission to use any audio that you choose. Nice one, can't wait!!"

and the one I did not choose are,

3)CBeebies – Programming aimed at learning through play

4)BBC 4 – Intelligent, mixed genre content for the 21st century.

I want to work for E4 and discovery channel because E4 is a channel for teenage which 
is my age range, I might be able to create an ident that match the style of E4 more easily.
 Also, it is more local base so it does not have to be too serious but playful ident. 
Moreover, I like animals and science and history which is what discovery channel is all
 about and I want to create a more international and professional ident in contrast.

I do not want to work on CBeebies and BBC 4 are mainly due to lack of knowledge and
 interests. I have not watched any of the programme before and the channels are not my 
type of programmes. However, If this was a real job, I might need to watch and research 
the channels before saying no.

Sound 36 final animation

This is the final animation of sound 36. I am pleased with this final production because I think it represents the sound quite well visually. The movements and colours match the sound and it has successfully visualise my imagination. It is very fun to work with especially animating the secondary actions of the blue dots (applying the 12 principles!) and which is also interesting to apply some knowledge I have learnt from the first module on to this project. If I can do it again, I want to experiment with different colours and movement. Movements that are not link, will they still be able to represent the continuous sound? After all, this is an useful experience and I have really learn to be patient when drawing digitally as any small details show big on screen!

Sound 12 Final animation

This is a final product of sound 12. I was having a good experience experimenting different materials in terms of their textures and effects that will appear on the screen and also it is a opportunity to practice effective time planning and any pre-production work. I think the colour filter that added on at last gave the whole animation a greater visual impact and sort out the key frames but I am not sure if the rain drops work because their style diverse. This is something I would like to change and also I might want to try to use 24 frames a second so that I could include more details and smoothen the animation. 

Sound 36 concept and development

I choose this sound because it is a funny and playful sound. Wobbly patterns, lips movements and messy lines are the first images I visualised and I want to go through this idea.

I decided to draw on paper to make a stop motion animation. After estimating the timing, I drew on paper using pen and try to capture the feeling of the sound as much as possible visually.

I was so stupid that I thought it would be a good result and apparently it is not. It is not visually interesting and nothing is presented through these boring materials. However, it is still an experience to teach me that never be lazy and take the task seriously and also I can take this animation further on.

I took the dull animation further onto photoshop. I traced the line on another layer using a bright orange colour and small brush which is supported by a muddy green background.

I really like the wobble-ness of the line and shape made by the line. I think it really suits the sound and sync well with it. However I am not sure about the choice of colour as I do not think they cooperate well together. It looks dull and strange as a finish product so I have tried out different colours. 

The secondary movement of the splashes are taken into account and here is the final illustration of the animation. It is changed in colour and rearrange frames so as to sync the sound better.

Sound 12 concept and development

I chose this thunder sound because it is very organic unlike the rest of the sound. It is made up of different elements for example wind and rain which is very intriguing to listen.

I have been thinking about using card paper due to the weight and heaviness of the thunder sound which I think it is an appropriate material to use. I want to tear and split the paper so as to sync the sound thunder sound.

The working space is the wall and the paper is sticked on by blue tags. There are six key sound of the thunder therefore I made six big splits on the paper. I think this random splits give a better outcome than cuts made by scissors because the edges are more organic and not so intimidating.

My idea of the animation:

After arranging the sequence into animation, I added rain and ripple at the last part of the animation. I think the colour should be re-considered because the colours are too soft to represent a storm. It might be useful to add an extra layer on top in order to change the texture and colour of the whole animation which I am going to experiment after this blog!