Animation

For my animation project I wanted to create something with a narrative that could be told in an unusual manner and make it quite cinematic with a variety of camera angles and shot types to give it a film like feel.



This animation made with Tom Roberts (http://thomasmroberts.blogspot.com/) was an experimentation with depth of field and layers to have a character move from the background to the foreground of a scene smoothly.



The first test of my final animation with a character falling through a vertical environment that has initial camera angles intended to build up to them falling. My intention is to incorporate more characters on his descent that the person passes by to add more emphasis to the depth of field and have a much more dramatic conclusion with timings for areas being improved for maximum effect.

Interaction Brief and Thoughts

Task: Create a interactive space using digital stills and HTML/CSS which visitors can explore.

After looking at this brief my first step was to research existing examples of this medium, particularly for the way navigation had been incorporated and the objective of the whole interactive space.
Some examples like the ones below taken from Youtube, had a video setting the situation followed by a multiple choice option that redirected to the appropriate video down that selected path with it, depending on the storyline, ending in success or failure leaving the other routes open to attempt.








I have decided to base my interactive space on a 'dungeon crawler' type experience with the end target being to reach the treasure situated within the environment. All of my digital images will be made in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop as I believe this will give me the most freedom to produce a suitable looking environment that matches my intentions. I looked at a variety of games based in a dungeon environment as well as things that could act as puzzles or obstacles throughout the adventure as well as researching old text based adventure games such as Zork that had simple typing interfaces to explore an imaginary environment with a lot of options being accounted for.

Dungeon and Dragons and was also something I considered when designing my dungeon environment as I wanted to add an element of chance into my adventure, however could not find a possible solution to this with my knowledge of HTML.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent was one game I looked at as a features a variety of puzzles and challenges that I thought I could incorporate as well as having a dark castle setting that I wanted to base my digital stills on.







 Another game I looked at was a turn-based game called Dungeons of Dredmor. The reason I looked at this was to get an idea of a dungeon type environment in a low graphic format. Also I looked at this because the turn based element of it meant it was easy to get an understanding of options that could be given to a user such as movement, attacking or using an item.

Interactive Environment Floor Plan

The route plan for my interactive environment.

On the Set- Filmmaking Images

Some images taken during filming.

Filmmaking- Initial Ideas Continued

Project Brief Idea 3

Interviewee speaks incoherently because of having a thick accent/being drunk/talking fast meaning the interviewer has a difficult time understanding what is being said causing the flashback scene to be confusing and disorganized as the interviewer catches small phrases or words of the conversation.

1. Inspired by Hot Fuzz Incoherent Farmer Scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5NuPI7pK2s&feature=related

1. Disorganized Flashback

-Interviewer pieces together a scene from what words and phrases he understands from the interviewees explanation.

1. Mumbled speech with certain words said clearer to direct the flashback scene.

1. Flashback scene through perspective of an onlooker rather than the interviewee to represent their statement not being understandable.

 

1. Interviewers facial expressions convey his confusion towards the interviewee.

Filmmaking- Initial Ideas

Project Brief Idea 1

Interviewee keeps giving ridiculous explanations for how the woman's shoe was stolen e.g. aliens, an animal, etc, but still claims they know what happens after each is rejected by interviewer.

1. Wants credit for aiding the investigation, but has no idea what actually happened.

-Interviewer becomes more skeptical as each explanation is given.

1. Multiple Flashbacks

-Interviewer interrupts flashbacks, stating the fact the statement is silly.

-Flashbacks with interviewee's voiceover that follows what they are saying.

-Flashbacks different pace to normal scene with interview.

-Sudden elements are added to flashback as interviewee 'remembers' them.

Project Brief Idea 2

Interviewee keeps staring at the camera and smiling because of the attention making out they are successful and wealthy, whilst focusing more on them during the flashback rather than the woman.

1. During flashback camera pans off of woman/ event being told, instead going to what the interviewee is doing.

-Camera more centered on interviewee.

1. When talking, interviewee keeps glancing at the camera and smiling.

Filmmaking- Research 2

The Black Hole

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5_Msrdg3Hk

-Dull Setting, Grey (shows characters feelings)

-Variety of camera angles

-Sound effects add to setting, playing repetitive sound when interacting with hole, gets louder at end as he climbs further inside (builds tension)

-Camera angle from inside hole- explains whats happened

-Character starts by having fun/ doing a trick (relate-able, audience can understand feeling)

-Facial expression changes to evil/ darker showing intent, going too far

-Eating the chocolate bar shows greed, implies outcome

-Character sees vending machine/ locked door before audience (close-up of face shows his emotion)

-Continuous beeps/ photocopier sounds throughout, used as final sound