Artist Lecture 1 - Shawn Sheeny

     Shawn Sheeny was surely one of the more interesting of the visiting artist lectures we've had recently. He is a graphic artist working mostly with highly elaborate pop up books. A graduate student with a BA degree in education and graphic design, Sheeny also has a MA in Book Arts. Overall the lecture was very educational and not to mention entertaining with Sheenys hip-geek chic sense of humor. He started us of with a brief but slightly slower paced history of book arts in which he spoke of other artists such as Ed Rischa, Pamela Paulsrud, and Emily Martin. He also showed us some great images from other pop up books to reference such as "Dinosaurs" by Mathew Rinehart and St. Louis Pinocchio Pop Ups. Shawn shared with us his work in progress personal book arts designs over the last six year span, which was I must say, quite impressive.

Finals Due Today.

Final finals due today. Technically. However, my schedule from the start does not have me finishing this animation until Thursday morning. So, with that in mind I am still on schedule. But if you look at it as it is due today, no I didn't finish it. It'll get done, though. As well as the DVD and everything that goes on the DVD itself. Majority of the work will be done tonight because I dont actually have to be at my job for once.


I ran into some major problems last night as far as working under my own student login. Programs wouldnt start, wouldnt run, and then files started disappearing. I started working on student login, things went a little smoother, but to replace the missing files I almost had to entirely re-animate half of the project I have already spent the last week working on. So. Given the time constraint, ill do my best to finish this project. It'll be finished, but it will not look how I intended for it to look and the quality will begin to dwindle very quickly.

Overall, i've learned a lot from this class. And i'm excited to use after effects for other projects in the future.

Nov 16: 

Continue working on assets.
Nov 18: 

Continue working on assets and have scenes 1-3 completed at end of day.
Nov 23: 

Scenes 4-6 completed.
Nov 25: 

Finalize working on scenes 4-6. 

For thanksgiving break work on Scenes 7-11.
Nov 30: 

Continue working on scenes 7-11.
Dec 2: 

Finalize scenes 7-11. 

Start on scenes 12-15.

Render out past projects for DVD.

Dec 4:

Have all assets for DVD prepared.

Keep working on scenes 12-15.

Dec 7: 

Finalize scenes 12-15. 

Make any revisions to final project.

Make DVD portfolio/demo reel.

Dec 9: 

Make final revisions. 

Turn in DVD/DemoReel.

Three cheers for the end of the semester and AE.

Final Project Update 5

So far, I'm somewhere in-between on my schedule. I'm sorta on schedule with some things and other things, just kinda not. But alas, I went back and fixed everything we talked about last Tuesday. It still needs work in some areas on the arms, but the main animation is there and its much easier to understand whats going on with the hands. I changed the colors of the arms and legs to match the nose and it looks much better. I also resized all my comps to a wide-screen format pre-set in AE so everything should be fine now. Just gotta keep working, hardcore like. 

Nov 16: 

Continue working on assets.
Nov 18: 

Continue working on assets and have scenes 1-3 completed at end of day.
Nov 23: 

Scenes 4-6 completed.
Nov 25: 

Finalize working on scenes 4-6. 

For thanksgiving break work on Scenes 7-11.
Nov 30: 

Continue working on scenes 7-11.
Dec 2: 

Finalize scenes 7-11. 

Start on scenes 12-15.

Render out past projects for DVD.

Dec 4:

Have all assets for DVD prepared.

Keep working on scenes 12-15.

Dec 7: 

Finalize scenes 12-15. 

Make any revisions to final project.

Make DVD portfolio/demo reel.

Dec 9: 

Make final revisions. 

Turn in DVD/DemoReel.

Final Project Update 4

Coasting on along with the final project. I've pretty much stayed on schedule. I'm a little bit behind schedule for today; however, its an easy fix. Ill just come in early this afternoon and complete the scenes needed for today (7-11). I'll also start on the rest of my assets as well as rendering out all of my past projects in HD for the DVD portfolio tonight.

Nov 16: 

Continue working on assets.
Nov 18: 

Continue working on assets and have scenes 1-3 completed at end of day.
Nov 23: 

Scenes 4-6 completed.
Nov 25: 

Finalize working on scenes 4-6. 

For thanksgiving break work on Scenes 7-11.
Nov 30: 

Continue working on scenes 7-11.
Dec 2: 

Finalize scenes 7-11. 

Start on scenes 12-15.

Render out past projects for DVD.

Dec 4:

Have all assets for DVD prepared.

Keep working on scenes 12-15.

Dec 7: 

Finalize scenes 12-15. 

Make any revisions to final project.

Make DVD portfolio/demo reel.

Dec 9: 

Make final revisions. 

Turn in DVD/DemoReel.

Final Project Update 3

ON SCHEDULE.

So far, so good. I'm currently on schedule with my final project. I've taken the critique from last weeks class on Thursday and worked with my project. I was able to nest my comp (1440*440) into a new comp of (720*480) and everything was fine. It looks like its in widescreen format, which is what I was wanting originally, so I think it'll work out. I'm still experimenting with just blowing it up and moving the camera to follow the scene. 

Problems:

I've been having several problems in AE with the program constantly crashing and telling me my file/project is corrupt and it cannot render it. I dont know if this is a problem with the program/server/etc, but something needs to be worked out.

Anywho. I'd like to go ahead and post a quick summary of the outline of the new storyboard idea. Originally, Neo was on the mountain, depressed, and thats what drives him to leave the mountain; however,

 the only difference now is there is no mountain and Neo finds an abandoned grump-drop and as he saves it, evil grum-drops come to get the baby and he must run for their safety where they reach the chocolate ocean and sail across to reach the warm beach and island but they melt before they get there together. 

Now for the schedule:

Nov 16: Continue working on assets.
Nov 18: Continue working on assets and have scenes 1-3 completed at end of day.
Nov 23: Scenes 4-6 completed.
Nov 25: Finalize working on scenes 4-6. For thanksgiving break work on Scenes 7-11.
Nov 30: Continue working on scenes 7-11.
Dec 2: Finalize scenes 7-11. Start on scenes 12-15
Dec 7: Finalize scenes 12-15. Make any revisions to final project.
Dec 9: Make final revisions. Turn in completed project.

When I return from Thanksgiving Break I will need to have scenes 7-11 in full swing by the 30th. 

Overall, I will need scenes 1-11 fully completed by December 2nd. At this point, 3/4 of the project will be completed. 

I've gotten most of my assets done, but I will continue working on them as the project progresses due to lack of time to set aside and not meeting my original scheduled goals. 

Updated Asset List:

-Sky background

-Sundae mountain

-Neo: Front View, Back View, Side View, 3/4 View.

-Neo: Closed eyes, open eyes, noses/mouths, cone piece, waffle chip.

-Neo: sprinkle tears, sprinkles

-Chocolate sea

-Gum drop attackers

-Gum drop baby-Umbrellas

-Beach towels

-Sunlight

-Graham crackers: Top View, Side View, 3/4 View

-Melted view of Neo

This is the last render I was able to fully complete. Its had a lot of updating since this version, but you'll get an idea at least. 

This is the most recent version of what I've been able to render in time for class:

Final Project Update 2

I bringeth good news! 

I'm currently on target for my projected schedule. At the end of today, I've projected to have all my assets built as well as the first 3 scenes of my animation completed. I have the 3 scenes almost done, they need a little more work and some tweaking, but overall, good progress. Assets are almost done as well. I'm sure by the end of the day or possibly the end of this class I will have everything completed and remain on schedule. 

However, I have changed the idea up for my animation quite a bit. None of the changes interfered with the projected schedule, thankfully. My project still stands at 3 scenes a week minimum; which will be easier to attain each week considering the new story cut out several unnecessary scenes. 

Nov 16: Continue working on assets.
Nov 18: Continue working on assets and have scenes 1-3 completed at end of day.
Nov 23: Scenes 4-6 completed.
Nov 25: Finalize working on scenes 4-6. For thanksgiving break work on Scenes 7-11.
Nov 30: Continue working on scenes 7-11.
Dec 2: Finalize scenes 7-11. Start on scenes 12-15
Dec 7: Finalize scenes 12-15. Make any revisions to final project.
Dec 9: Make final revisions. Turn in completed project.

Updated Asset List:

-Sky background
-Sundae mountain
-Neo: Front View, Back View, Side View, 3/4 View.
-Neo: Closed eyes, open eyes, noses/mouths, cone piece, waffle chip.
-Neo: sprinkle tears, sprinkles

-Chocolate sea

-Gum drop attackers
-Umbrellas
-Beach towels
-Sunlight
-Graham crackers: Top View, Side View, 3/4 View

-Melted view of Neo

Any assets that are not completed at the end of the day will be re-worked back into the schedule. 

Here are some screen shots of Scenes 1-3 in progress:

Calender and Breakdown of Final Project

I worked a lot on my assets last week and didnt get to work a whole lot over my assets over the weekend, but its ok because for my schedule I worked in finalizing all assets until Thursday.

I took the original script and storyboard and broke it down into each separate scene:

1. Initial pan down.
2. Birds in sky.
3. Closeup on Neo.
4. Pandown from mountain.
5. Beach scene.
6. Chocolate sea scene.
7. Back to Neo on mountian.
8. Crying scene.
9. Neo pulls out of spot on mountian.
10. Back view of Neo.
11. Neo falling down the mountain.
12. Hits bottom of mountain.
13. Overview of Neo lying all busted up.
14. Warm characters come to aid him.
15. Floats away into chocolate sea.

Ive got it planned out for 3 scenes to be completed a week at minimum for this project to be completed on time.

Nov 16: Continue working on assets.
Nov 18: Continue working on assets and have scenes 1-3 completed at end of day.
Nov 23: Scenes 4-6 completed.
Nov 25: Finalize working on scenes 4-6. For thanksgiving break work on Scenes 7-11.
Nov 30: Continue working on scenes 7-11.
Dec 2: Finalize scenes 7-11. Start on scenes 12-15
Dec 7: Finalize scenes 12-15. Make any revisions to final project.
Dec 9: Make final revisions. Turn in completed project.


Assets list:
-Sky background
-Sundae mountain
-Birds of chocolate
-Fog
-Neo: Front View, Back View, Side View.
-Neo: Closed eyes, open eyes, noses/mouths, cone piece, waffle chip.
-Neo: sprinkle tears, sprinkles
-Chocolate sea
-Golden muffins: Front view, Back View, Side View
-Female Muffin: Front View, Back View, Side View
-Umbrellas
-Beach towels
-Sweets mountain
-Sunlight
-Sunglasses
-Cherries
-Graham crackers: Top View, Side View, 3/4 View

Final Project - Aesthetic Renders

Final Project - Storyboard and Visual Diagram

Planning out this new story for my final project has act

ually been really fun. I really love this story and cant wait to work on it. My only concern is I hope that I can finish it. Here is a summary of the new story:

The setting takes place on top of a dreary wintry ice cream sundae mountain (Neopolitan Mountain). Our main character is trying to sleep when he is awoken by a bird pooping on him, his neighbors coughing, and the chilly wind blowing. He tries to readjust and falls back asleep. He begins to dream of a place where everything is bri

ghtly colored, everyone is healthy and happy, all sun bathing by the c

hocolate sea. Its the main characters version of heaven in

his mind. Our character is awoken again by a storm coming when thunder crashes around the s

undae mountain. As the thunder quites, he hears bits of laughter coming from down below. Our character, out of desperation to leave his spot on the mountain, grows his arms and legs and pulls himself out of his spot to see whats happening below the fog. When he looks into the fog, the sunlight bursts through with bright colors. The character leaps off of Neopolitan Mount

ain where he meets his death at the bottom of the mountai

n where the characters from his dream pick him up and place him on a graham cracker, add a cherry to his top, sunglasses to his eyes, and float him

away into the chocolate sea.

Shot List:

1.Panning down from sky.

2.Cut to birds in sky.

3.Back to our main character on mtn.

4.Close up shot on main character.

5.Pan left and fade into new dream shot.

6.In dream scene on beach.

7.Pans left.

8.Chocolate sea fades across screen.

9.Back to main character on mtn.

10.Back shot of main character looking over mtn.

11.Shot into clouds with light coming out.

12.Front view of character blinded by light.

13.Shot of mtn side.

14.Cut to zoomed out shot of mtn. side.

15.Cut to bottom of mtn where character is laying by beach.

16.Overhead view looking at character laying on ground.

17.Cut shot to muffin and icecream staring at him.
18.P.o.v of character looking at them standing over him.
19.Overhead shot of character dieing.

20.Picking up character and putting him on cracker. (Give him glasses/cherry.)

21. Shot from behind supporting characters looking out onto ocean.

Final Project Pitch

For the final project, I have decided to follow my instincts into a semi-narrative piece. Conceptually, its still following loosely along with my concept throughout the semester.

Idea summary:

In a wintry landscape made from junk foods, (i.e ice cream cones, candy, etc) there is a lone mountain, tired and lonely snuggling between the surrounding mountains. As he wakes up, he looks up to the sky and sees bits of color peeking through the clouds. The mountain pulls out a telescope and peers into the sky above. In the sky he sees other mountains on clouds having fun in a sunny environment. The mountain sprouts longer arms and legs and begins to pull himself out of the frozen ground. He grows as much as he can, but cannot reach up into the clouds. He begins to take steps to reach higher and his leg breaks from the cold and begins to cry. The other mountains around him abandon him. He looks up into the distance at a mountain high in the sky and decides to try again.

Motifs:
Nature.
Failure.
Determination.
Rationale.
Adventure.
Setting:
Snowing mountain-scape.

3 Act Structure:

Act 1 Setup:

Inciting incident:

Mountain wakes up from the cold shivering and investigates the colors in the sky.

Plot Point 1:
Mountain sprouts his arms and legs to get into the sky.

Act 2 Confrontation:

Midpoint:

Mountain obviously cannot reach the sky by stretching alone, and decides to go to the highest mountain and climb up into the sky.

Plot Point 2:
Mountain begins his journey/walk to the big mountain in the distance.

Act 3 Resolution:

Climax:
Mountain breaks his leg as he is walking and cannot reach his goal of being in the clouds.

Aesthetic/Idea Refrences:

Yellow Chocolate from Special Problems on Vimeo.

This short was the starting inspiration for my idea and aesthetics.
Id like to continue the same layering and texture ideas of this video.

Buildings & Vampires from Nico Casavecchia on Vimeo.

I love the idea of footage/animation combo but know thats too
much for this animation and would like to utilize the arms and legs
as the main animating in the piece. Also, this color palette is more closely related
to what im looking for. More muted and soft wintry colors.

Spectacular View from Michael Please on Vimeo.

I put this video up as a reference because of its textured/wintry/puppet
feel. The color palette is close to what im considering as well.

Extra:
Rough list of needed Assets:
-winter landscape
-mtn (front view)
-mtn (side view)
-mtn (back view)
-telescope
-clouds
-ladder
-big mtn in distance
-other mtns in clouds
-sun character
-alternate facial parts for expressions
-tears (sprinkles)