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| A normal scene. |
Kopf has been set aside for the moment, as my new focus is on a group stopmotion project. I was placed with a group of 5 other students with the task of creating an animation incorporating stopmotion in some form. My group decided to fuse together three different styles: live-action, stopmotion, and 2D computer animation. The story focuses around three objects that come alive when their owner leaves the room: a highlighter, a sticky-note pad, and a staple-eater. They fall notebook and transported to a doodle world, which they then explore and try to escape from. It ends with them successfully escaping and rejoicing before the owner returns and everything returns to reality.
Pre-Production
In order to create this, we had to compromise and combine parts of our own individual ideas. We had each come up with our own plan and concept, so we had a communal session and included the aspects that we found most interesting/practical. We combined our interests (including my fascination with googly eyes) to decide on the premise: a bunch of office supplies going on an adventure in an alternate dimension. We then created a storyboard for the whole thing, took a few rough shots to determine which angles would work best, and created an animated storyboard with scene timings that we agreed on.
Production
The actual shooting was rather painful, as stopmotion is apt to be. We carefully moved the objects a slight amount each frame to simulate motion, and then compiled them all in After Effects. We also took the live-action shots and compiled them, as well. The doodle world animators worked in Photoshop and After Effects, creating a black-and-white world inside of the notebook that was rendered out and combined with the stopmotion and live-action during compilation.
Post-Production
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| An abnormal scene. |
For the post-production phase, we looked at all of the shots we took and made edits to the exposure, gamma correction, and color curves to make each shot look as close to the others as possible (since we had to shoot in a dynamic environment, there was variations in lighting that needed to be fixed). We also checked through the footage and extended a few frames to make the animation smoother (for example, when the notepad stands up on the highlighter). The doodle world animators also put the finishing touches on their segments.
Reflections
During this project, I learned how to better operate and set up cameras due to the importance of the angles and perspective in the shooting process. I also learned how to sequence frames in After Effects by using a Time Stretch and a
Sequencer script (which is incredibly convenient). I also developed a better idea of the group planning process, and how to compromise with ideas and create goals and deadlines.
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| After the great escape. |
If I were to do this project again, then I would definitely pick a more stable shooting environment. It wasn't until fairly late into the shooting process that the flaws became evident, but there is noticeable shadow movement in some shots. There was also the issue of inconsistent lighting, which could be controlled in a more stable area. I would definitely use the same planning process though, as the storyboarding and creation of an animated storyboard with scene timings helped A LOT.
This project definitely helped to develop my thinking regarding pre-production planning, as well as indicating the necessity of a controlled shooting environment. Even though there are some noticeable flubs so far, I still don't think it looks too bad considering the fact that it was some of our first times doing it. If nothing else, at least the doodle world is pretty cool. The animated storyboard and regular storyboards are below. Some other shots are below as well, so feel free to take a look.
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| Why yes, that is a conga line. |
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| Buddies 4 Lyfe. |
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| Part 1 |
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| Part 2 |
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| Part 3 |
This is one of our early drafts of the project. We compiled all of the frames and video and added sound effects and a background song. Yes, the background song is elevator music. (We were running out of time until the deadline.) There were still some edits to be made, mostly involving light and color correction and small edits to sound effects, but this was pretty close to a final product that I wouldn't feel bad about showing.
This is our final edit. We added some more color and lighting correction and some changes to sound (such as a new, zipping sound when they get taken into the notebook, a non-copyrighted alert sound, and better synchronization with the video). We also added an intro and some credits.
You can read my other group members' posts by following these links:
