Portfolio Project: Film Opening Task WEEK 8 [POST 2/2]

 WEEK 8 

[POST 2/2]

CCR

It's time to create the CCR-- with two media, four questions will be answered: about representation and convention, production improvement, audience engagement, and production resources.

The first will be a podcast with some music in the background: On The Rocks from the YouTube Audio Library 

The second will be a video...

Portfolio Project: Film Opening Task WEEK 8 [POST 1/2]

WEEK 8 

[POST 1/2]

More Exporting Technical Issues

Yet again I encounter another technical issue with After Effects:

Thanks to the exporting my computer has crashed-- twice-- with this screen. The project was saved before exporting, so at least I still have my progress. My patience is running a little thin with the lag and the amount of time that is needed to complete any editing as it continues to buffer after every click. But the film opening is done... the only issue is the exporting. Well, I may have to change or remove some effects...

Film Opening Group Discussions [2]

We met for group meetings today—again. I found it quite enjoyable watching everyone’s progress on their projects no matter which point of the project they are at. 

One person had a bit of trouble with the editing process. I happily offered help to them as the program he had questions about was Adobe Premiere Pro, which I did have previous experience using. Some of it was basic concepts, but he caught on quick. I also introduced him to tutorials on YouTube and even on Adobe itself. I hope the best for his editing!

One other group member-- who I remembered to be pretty much finished with their project-- had really nice lighting in their project. They did explain that they rented out a professional camera for this project. I was very impressed, to say the least. I believe their decision to rent out a professional camera was not only valid despite this being just a school project, but how professional the results came out for them.

After we briefly reviewed everyone's projects, we all discussed the CCR portion of the project and watched many CCRs of previous years. I found many great references that I could use in my project as well...

Portfolio Project: Film Opening Task WEEK 7 [POST 3/3]

WEEK 7 

[POST 3/3]

Technical Issue #1: SOLVED!

The issue where I could not properly export my files has been resolved! It was my export settings that were the issue. During the render queue in After Effects, I simply had to change the settings under "Lossless" in Output Module:

I formatted this as QuickTime since I did not have the option to export as H.264(MP4).

Under Format Options, I changed "Animation" to "Apple ProRes 422 HQ".

This took a while to figure out since rather than searching up this issue (my Google Chrome is extremely slow) I just played around with the settings a bit. So here is a portion of the opening: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hx1IVIzhHO77wgmcDNUMjdJr5AVjtNCI/view?usp=sharing

Sketch Progress

I have sketched some more scenes as well:

> Toya on a chair

> Hand for string

> Park

> Alyx

> Blink

I did start the line art for some of these and it is definitely taking longer than expected. Even as a digital artist, I do not typically include linework for my pieces and skip straight to coloring and then rendering as drawing lines is not my forte... Sketchy lines are one thing but keeping everything neat is a bit difficult. 

My process for drawing these shots consists of sketch > line arts (plural, since I must draw it multiple times for the movement effect-- I'm not sure what it is called but it will be clear once I finish)  > filling in the character > clean up > Chromatic Abberation

Portfolio Project: Film Opening Task WEEK 7 [POST 2/3]

WEEK 7 

[POST 2/3]

Background Images

Earlier today, I walked with my younger sister to take some pictures at the library park nearby for reference pictures and backgrounds. Here are some, excluding a couple and some more with my sister in it-- she wasn't comfortable showing her face but I did include one reference image without her face in it.

Portfolio Project: Film Opening Task WEEK 7 [POST 1/3]

 WEEK 7 

[POST 1/3]

A New Week

I did not mention this in my previous post (dated 18 March), but it was my brother's 9th birthday on that day. Because of that, my mother decided to take us out for a few days after the 18th, venturing around central Florida. Thanks to this, I have not been able to make any particular progress on the project. During the trip, however, I was constantly thinking of the project. With so much time on my hands, I was able to make a mental map of it, using the timing for the introduction as a reference. I realized I am most likely very much under time. Nearly 30 seconds, actually...

I thought of adding some stray shots around the park and bedroom scenes to introduce its settings. For "cinematic" purposes as well. I'm not sure if that could even fill up the amount of time is empty...

I also compiled some After Effects tutorials! For wiggles, shakes, and puppet movement (for easier animation). 

Portfolio Project: Film Opening Task WEEK 6 [POST 3/3]

 WEEK 6 

[POST 3/3]

More Updates...

So far, even working a couple hours a day grants me very little progress. I wonder if I am too concerned with the minor details? I started off the animation with an introduction to the myth a few days ago, but even a few hours a day only took me to the third shot. I suppose this shot would be the end of the introduction, so I can start working on the park scene. I am leaving the bedroom scene for last since I have to refilm (not really, it's really just taking pictures-- but I have to rearrange the mise-en-scene).

I also found copyright-free music that could potentially be used as the soundtrack of the introduction: https://youtu.be/2V_tUQ8t39U

I chose an instrumental of a traditional Chinese instrument, the Guqing, to fit in with the ancient Chinese-themed introduction.

Portfolio Project: Film Opening Task WEEK 6 [POST 2/3]

 WEEK 6 

[POST 2/3]

A Minor Update...

Currently, my process of how I work is just drawing one shot and editing it, drawing the next shot, adding transition, and so on. I prefer this process instead of drawing everything and putting all of it together since I do not plan very precisely. With timing in mind, I have to see which shots I need to add onto, and as I edit as I draw, I can make improvises without having to redraw anything if it does not make sense.

I am only using a drawing program and Adobe After Effects, so literally hand animating it is quite difficult especially since I am using the "draw a single shot and edit it before drawing the next shot and editing that" method. This is also a very very slow process since the computer I am using for this project is quite slow-- even pulling up Google Chrome takes 15 minutes and a few force quits and reopens.

After Effects is quite slow as well... I suppose all it is is a game of patience and consistency.

Portfolio Project: Film Opening Task WEEK 6 [POST 1/3]

WEEK 6 

[POST 1/3]

Setup and Progress

I finally started the drawing process of the opening. I'm starting with the hardest portion of the opening: the myth introduction. There is a lot more camera movement in this portion of the opening and as I have never animated this way, I felt this was the best to start with.

My setup consisted of my desktop computer and my drawing monitor. I split screens on my desktop for the references and the storyboard while my drawing monitor was my drawing program. I believed this was the best setup I could do as of now, with the references and my own storyboard. 

The reference used in this image is the video I have mentioned before as one of my references for the animation style: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFOeQuShLME&ab_channel=GenshinImpact

I also had to compose a background to use for this cutscene since I planned that the characters would be plainly colored white so the background needed to have color to make the characters stand out (and the string).

Like the previous setup, I had references on one screen, and my drawing program on the other.

Since the myth is Chinese and the characters are already represented with Chinese cultural clothing (I used references from animated Chinese series like 墨香铜臭 for a simplified version of the clothing), I decided to proceed to draw the background based on China for consistency.

I chose this mountainous image for depth.

After finishing the drawings, I went ahead and edited them. It's a trial for now and I had some issues exporting the file so I may need to redo the animation. I learned how to input the camera movement through a few tutorials on YouTube so now, at least I am able to do this camera movement more easily. this version also lacks the red string.

 

Portfolio Project: Film Opening Task WEEK 5 [POST 3/3]

Audio

While observing past portfolios, I rediscovered the YouTube Audio Library which I realized I could probably use for the film opening. It included copyright-free music and sound effects. After a bit of listening, however, I realized the audio library for music was likely, not much use to me since it lacked the feeling I aimed for. Especially since this was romance/fantasy genre, I wanted something that sounded delicate.

I remembered that I used to listen to music box collections to do work a few years ago, and I realized there may be copyright-free music box audio that I could use.

Ultimately, I did find very fitting audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxPrWhirvf4&ab_channel=DarGolan 

I also realized that I could probably use some background rain as diegetic sound to layer in with the non-diegetic music in the beginning shots when it started raining some nights ago. I got up from my desk to my window and started recording with my phone. It's about a minute long.

As for the dialogue, there will be none until the title appears, which is when the two main characters meet. Instead of literally having audio for the verbal conversation, it'll just be subtitled. I will briefly voiceover for the myth introduction.

Portfolio Project: Film Opening Task WEEK 5 [POST 2/3]

WEEK 5 

[POST 2/3]

Concept Arts

I was digitally sketching out my idea of drawing in a simpler style but I quickly realized it would simply look better in my normal style. Though it may have a bit more lines and rely more on anatomy-- which I am not too familiar with-- I believe it is more visually appealing. Here, are some examples:

The bottom shows the original idea, but the top is what I plan to do now. It's a very rough idea and not as clean as I would want it in the final product, but it'll look something like this.

I did not include much of a pose or expression but I can already tell it will look stiff... especially since I am not used to such a simple style. It is also faster to draw my normal style, so I will stick to this new idea.

Here is an example of what Alyx will look like in this style as well.

I believe this aspect of the project is crucial as it entirely changes the visuals and perhaps even the tone and feel of the opening for the audience. Facial expressions are easier to portray in my normal style than the simplified as well, which will also end up affecting the portrayal of the characters.

Portfolio Project: Film Opening Task WEEK 5 [POST 1/3]

 WEEK 5 

[POST 1/3]

Character Designs, Visualized

For Toya, the constant presence of his headphones (his headphone-wearing) represents his issue of avoiding social interactions-- probably due to trauma. Similarly, for Alyx, the ribbons represent an issue they have as well--their genderfluidity. 

Short hair like theirs is often associated with boys and the ribbon hair accessories are usually associated with girls. I think two ribbons may be too many ribbons though, I may just convert it back to one.

Even if the project only resides in the opening, I feel details of their own issues are important to convey to the characters themselves... to build character. At first glance, Toya's slightly sharper eyes and headphones would make him look introverted, closed-off, or intimidating, even, which is exactly how I want to portray him. Alyx is rounder and so "cuter" and the short hair and gender-neutral costume would let the audience question their possible gender... Many people will simply be confused about their gender, which is what I am aiming for because nobody really knows Alyx's gender, not even themself.

Notes:

Their sizes are not to scale or reference, both are around the same height. The art style is likely to be simplified more during the animation process.

Portfolio Project: Film Opening Task WEEK 4 [POST 3/3]

WEEK 4

[POST 3/3]

Artstyle

I have a couple ideas for the art style. Obviously, with the time crunch and my minimal experience, I must resort to a simpler style. My first idea is what I intended to go with: simple line art and very minimal shading. Most of this will just be solid colors.

My other idea follows a far simpler art style compared to my initial idea. It is inspired by the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F64yFFnZfkI 

This animation demonstrates the lack of color in the character. I believe that using a style like this with a red string could place emphasis and focus on the red string since the characters lack color. To make up for the lack of color, I would have to be very focused and detailed on the facial expressions, posture, movement, and shape of the character to portray their personalities. This example also uses images from the real world while editing the image with animation to imitate the movement of a handheld camera. This is what I had planned to do-- use images from real life and draw/animate over them. I believe this is quite a useful reference for my project.

I also like the touch of chromatic aberration to the lines to make them pop more, to make it look a little more interesting. I want to include this aspect as well as it strikes me as interesting, which I believe the audience will too. Though too much of it might be overwhelming so I may just only apply the chromatic aberration for movement.

Character Design

There are two main characters in the film. The first character will be the main protagonist, who will be in majority of the opening, as they are the focus. The other character is introduced later on, in the second half of the opening. I changed the main character to Toya-- initially was supposed to be Alyx-- but I realized that Toya reaching out to Alyx would be breaking his comfort zone of keeping to himself.

The main protagonist is named Toya.

This character is a very closed-off and introverted person but is not the type to be particularly shy. Toya mostly just prefers to mind his own business and dislikes meddling with other people's business. He constantly wears noise-canceling headphones to avoid unnecessary conversations with people. He's a very direct person. Toya relies on thinking logically over feelings. If I were to use a shape to describe him, it would be a pentagon. Sharp.

The second protagonist is named Alyx.

Alyx is what I would like to consider a shy extrovert, one who enjoys the presence of people but cannot express himself well with unfamiliar people. Alyx dislikes avoiding conversation but it does make them quite nervous... and they have never been able to handle the anxious feeling. Of course, as Toya's polar opposite, Alyx will be portrayed to prioritize feelings over logic. This will most likely not be included in the opening, but Alyx carries around what I would like to call an "emotional support" plushie, about the size of my hand-- so quite small. Alyx would be considered a semi-circle. Soft, but just enough...

Additionally, I want to consider Alyx as genderfluid. Not only do I want to include representation for this project, but I want to just demonstrate a constant struggle for self-identity among some teenagers. I honestly believe this trait is quite underrepresented in current media, as the majority of the LGBTQ+ representation is just being attracted to the same gender or being transgender (which are already quite underrepresented, especially in Western media), but not much has been shown for the people who struggle with a particular self-identity. I have not yet decided how I would portray this aspect of them, but there may be an additional scene near the end of the opening to represent it.

I shall post my designs next post. Until then...

Portfolio Project: Film Opening Task WEEK 4 [POST 2/3]

WEEK 4 

[POST 2/3]

Revised Storyboard

STORYBOARD PDF

I did this digitally so it is in a pdf rather than inserted pictures.

I basically just added what I had mentioned last post-- an extra scene with fewer people.  It starts with the main character, asleep, and the audience will see that the character has been researching the red string of fate. I may change it to the main character would be asleep on the desk at the computer for a smoother transition between the settings (room and then classroom).

I still want to keep the park scene for now.

'Till we meet again.

Portfolio Project: Film Opening Task WEEK 4 [POST 1/3]

WEEK 4 

[POST 1/3]

Encountering Some Issues...

After making my storyboard I realized some issues I will encounter. The main issue is the lack of actors I have for my film opening. I need people in the background and a few main actors. People who I don't actually have. Of course, I can use myself as one of the actors but I definitely need more. I can't just film random people for it is not only immoral but illegal... My friends and family are mostly unavailable during the weeks of my filming so they cannot be included.

I did not have many options after that. I could either:

Animate the entire opening

Redo my storyboard so that I only need to film one character (me)

I thought for a while and decided to merge the two. I would minimize the number of shots with other characters while animating a majority of it. With shots of the real world's setting, but the character(s) could be animated. I want to have the freedom to draw and create my own costumes rather than being limited to what I have or what I have access to.

The storyboard will change quite a bit and being able to animate, I can lengthen the beginning to ensure that it meets the expectation of about 2 minutes of visuals. By doing this, I just solved a majority of my issues (timing, actors, and costume). I will work on my new storyboard. Until then, goodbye.