Overall

Working in this group had its ups and downs however our main targets.... I do feel that not alot of work was set for me however this is the reason why I modeled the hospital and textured and added light to it. This helped show the skills I learnt along the way.

I met up with Anja twice a week and the time we were unable to come into uni we called one another and emailed over files. Apart from that I have managed to learn alot more about maya, after effects and photoshop which was mainly my aim from the start.

Render Frames

Texturing

Amazingly enough I have learnt a lot while texturing the hospital I modeled in Maya. Firstly I learned how to UV snapshot an image, then import that into Photoshop to apply the correct size of texture to that main object or area highlighted. I also found out how to use the UV texture editor which was very easy but extremely time consuming.

However the problems I have came across when texturing was due to one main reason which was the way in which i was texturing.  I learnt this by asking around and now i manage to understand where i went wrong as well as learning the new way which is much quicker. I had already used planner mapping but however did not use the full options. I was upset at first because of the amount of time I wasted on texturing all together but was also happy to learn a new and much quicker way to apply textures.

Bump Map

I also learnt how create a bump map to my texture, I simply opened the texture file in Photoshop and applied noise to the image by clicking on Filter – noise – add noise – clicking on monochromatic this straight away creates a bump to the texture.

The 3 images below just show show I assigned the texture to the model

Looking at this clearly shows how I have used the UV texture editor to snapshot the size and import it into photoshop.

The image below shows how I have used the UV texture editor by selecting a face and opening that window allows me to rotate, change the size and move the texture inside that face. This was not that fun as it took me ages but however I still manage to learn from my mistake and seek help to find a much quicker way to texture. Which is simply using the ‘Planner Mapping Options’ which is found in ‘Create UVs’ then Planner Mapping.

This is how I applied texture to the UV snapshot

A shot of how the outside looks

I thought rather then just creating the outside of the hospital why not model the inside. So I modeled the windows then selected the face and changed the transparency of the glass so that you can see straight through it and inside. This is shown in the image below…. The settings for the transparency are on the right hand side

Just a look at how you can see inside

An image of when I was Texturing 

How added bump map to a texture is shown below bit by bit

Lighting

Playing around with the light settings was great fun to learn, at this stage the texturing and modeling is complete. I found this part very interesting for a number of reasons, one being that I can finally see my finished model complete as well as be able to learn different ways to model.

However the easiest way to apply light has got to be applying Mental Ray which I found very amazing, I manage to apply this one tool and adjust small changes to create some amazing lighting effects. Making it create sun light and shadows. In comparison to the lights created it was incredible.

The image below shows the hospital with both the lighting and texturing

After learning how to create lights in maya and adjusting the setting I became more interested and wanted to learn more i.e. applying shadows etc... screen shots below show how I manage to apply these settings.

After applying many lights and adjusting the settings I found that still shadows were clearly in the wrong place, which you can clearly see below. I tried to improve the lighting by opening that rendered image into after effects but still the outcome was still weak and not what I expected.

Image A

Image B

Both the images above A & B are not that bad in my opinion considering the amount of lighting I have done in the past, however I am still not pleased with it and will find another way to set a light that will compliment the texturing. However if you do look closely you will see how the lights in the rooms are actually glowing which I find amazing as you can see straight through the transparent windows.

This image show my final lighting, I love the way it was simple to create and how effective it is. This creates a real sun light effect which is what I was looking for.

Week 9

This week has been a very long week, I have been working mainly on texturing and adding lighting to the hospital as well as updating my blog. On Tuesday I planned on modeling but was unable to so, as I was told to redo the side view crane making the lines less thick. I made my way to '   ' but was able to use their light box because it had been removed. So I went into uni... it was only up until 6 that I had finished and started to make my way back home when Anja needed the frames and wanted me to drop them off at hers as she said she was unable to come into uni. 

Apart from that overall I am happy with what I have learnt... my skills have improved in the softwares we often use and I have found mistakes and learnt where I went wrong and how I could improve it or the easy way to do the job.

While I was texturing I manage to waste so much time when there was a quick and simple way to do so. This upset me at first but overall Im happy I understood where I went wrong and what I should do next time. 

I wish I was able to show my final animation piece after it had been colored and rendered but I have not received movie on time for me to cut it up.

Compositing

This is a print screen of the leg in photoshop ready to be cut

Again in photoshop I was asked to cutout the frames one by one 

After calling Anja many times,  and asking Dan for files to work on I manage to put together and learn how use after effects. I imported all images which have already been cut in photoshop and located them in the right place. 

I then found out how to create a shine to the sun by clicking on the effect and adjusting the settings. In the bottom left hand side you can see which settings I can apply and the effect that that glow managed to do in comparison to the sun in the image above.

These images are screen shots of the rendering settings for the hospital 

Week 8

This week was rather busy... I began the week by going into uni early to try and speak with Dan regarding my work. A group meeting was set for us but I was unable attend because I had work.. I had spoken to Dan and was again told what work was expected to be in each folder.

I had also called Anja over the weekend so that I can be given some work..  After speaking to Dan I explained that I would model, texture and apply lighting to a hospital in order to show some work and add to my portfolio. 

From thursday to friday I was modeling. On thursday I called Anja and met her on friday and saturday to composite.

I was also at uni on sunday.... composing and cutting images and learning how to create layers in maya as and how to render them out individually.

Researched Textures

Week 7

Its the following week after handing all animations to Anja... I did ask again if there was anything I could do for this week. I did however go in on the wednesday to speak to Dan and see if he has any work for me. I then called Anja, she told me to take out a book for research for the running scenes.. which I was told was given to someone else. I wanted to make sure all the 2D animation scenes are already animated and maybe start on what was not done. This was a bit confusing because I felt that I did have quiet a lot of 2D animation and I really wanted to work on some 3D modeling, texturing and lighting. However I was unable to access the first year room because life drawing was taking place.

2D Animation - Side View of Crane

The short clip above shows the final 2D animation of the side view of the crane flying. This was the hardest out of the rest of the animation however I am still very pleased with the timing and the way the body nicely moves with the force of the wind.

2D Animation - Making the Cranes Scene

This is the latest clip of the making the cranes scene, I have had to update this scene so many times as each week I am told to animate extra emotions. I have not included the table as that can be inserted at a later date so that it does not sake.

There were a number of problems with the lime tester which made it had to upload frames quickly, however I did find a way to over come those technical errors.

2D Animation - Window Scene

This is the final scene when she slowly drops the hand down emotionless and weak from her illness.

Week 6

Its monday and Im in uni uploading all 4 animations..... Im waiting on Anja to show her the animation and get the final feedback as I plan on handing over all animation this friday.    

So far the feedback was great she loved the way the crane moved and was pleased with the window scene.... however I still felt that more frames could have been added to the side view and back view of the window scenes, but the animation timing still played well as well as the weight of the body it was just mainly the making the crane scenes I needed to work on.

Called Anja to arrange a meeting on friday early.

Friday both me and Anja worked in the first year room on 2D animation... we both gave each other feedback as I worked on 'the making the crane scene', and both the 'window scenes' so that I can give Anja the final frames so that she can start on the water coloring.

I successfully met my deadline line and gave all frames to her

I then called Anja on Sunday for more work

IMPORTANT

Important Notice - Hi i have not uploaded any 2D animation because I'm having problems doing so... if i still can't get them up by the next meeting,  i will have them ready to show you on my usb.

Updates

Group Meeting: 11^th May 2009

Over the last two weeks I have been working on 2D drawings… On Monday 11^th May we had another group meeting with Dan Dali. The meeting was mainly a break down of what should have been done and what my next task was. Since then I have been animating and inputting into the lime tester.

Friday 15^th May 2009: Input 2D drawings… Anja was meant to meet up and see the animation, so that we can talk about any improvements but could not make it. So I worked on it more.

Monday 18^th May 2009: Anja saw the making the crane scene and was happy with it apart from wanting me to change a few frames by changing the position of the hand.

Friday 22^nd May 2009: Review the top view of the crane flying… Anja was not happy with the timing so she asked me to leave the frames with her so that she can finish the other half of it. However she did give me the window scene, 4 frames of the side view for me to complete.

With the window scene I had looked at a drawing she asked me to photo copy and use as reference but unfortunately the arm was not meant to start from where it was drawn so I have to redo that scene.

Finding reference for the side view of the crane flying is very hard but seen as Anja wanted to finish of the top view I was left with working on the side view.

• Today me and Dan spoke about maybe using software’s such as Photoshop to draw in the 2D drawings this could save time in the long run as Simon and Dan would not have to work on deleting the white around the image frame by frame, as the background would be set to transparency. Anja felt that it is better to do the drawings by hand.

Saturday 23^rd May 2009

Plans for the day, cancel work and do the following:

Update Blog

Side View Crane – use reference I found.

Redo the Window scene… but try making adjustments to the frames I have might save time.

Sunday 24^th May 2009

Improve on making the crane scene

2D Test of the window scene

2D Animation

Above are 2D tryouts of the animation I have uploaded onto the lime tester. These are rather slow and not that clear but are however in my animation folder along with the final film. 

Week 5

Week 5 By monday 18th May I was already uploading 2D animation mainly the window and making the crane scenes working on getting the timing right and showing Anja and Dan so that I can get feedback and improve. I felt  that  meeting with Anja on a regular basis as well as making sure I show her my process every mondays and fridays will leave no room for errors later on when time is vital.

Week 5 I was uploading the 2D animation into the lime tester work however I was told that Ali was going to animate the running scenes so I took advantage of the time I had and reanimated the making the crane scene. It was week 5 that the confusion of the window scene was noticed on the friday where a reference was given to me in last weeks meeting where the characters arm was not straight. I used that image thinking it was right as it was given me and the only reference given for that scene. This a rather stressful week with a lot of ups and downs. Already I was behind in time because of this fault.

It was also at the beginning of this week that had problems with animating the cranes... over the last weekend I was trying my best to find references on cranes flying but had not come across any side view references. This problem was very annoying so I called Anja to see if she or any one had any good references for the side view. I had however already created the top view in 2D and shown it to Anja on Wednesday.

Wednesday I was also in Uni working on the 2D animation.... it was at this point that Anja saw the Top View Animation of the crane and taken those frames to work on them her self as she felt she could do a better job in return I had to do the side view of the window scene and still work on animating the side view of the crane flying and improving the back view of the window.

This weekend was very important, if I wanted to get up today with my work. So I cancelled my shift and headed towards '                    ' Library as I have a student visiter card to use their equipment. '         ' library  being up the road from me which also closes at midnight and provides me with a light box became my second home for the next week. I manage to save lots time as it was close by and a nice quiet place to work.

In week 3 me and Anja had a small talk about how cranes fly and the timing as well as the way the body moves. I was picturing this in my head and spent a few hours working on the 2D animation..... all i could do was wait till monday to use the lime tester. 

3D Modeling in Maya

In the screen shot below you can see the modelled lights and how I manage to make the texture transparent so that you can see through it

2D Test of making the crane scene

Week 4

Week 4 I was mainly learning how to texture and use the lighting effects both on photoshop and in maya. However this week is where i was set the task to start 2D animation. After the meeting on Monday again with Dan Dalli I set off making sure that I have enough animation paper as well as references which I had been waiting on since the second week. I did however ask numeral times  if help was needed that day but the answer given was no... So I mainly created rough 2D animation using Anja's storyboard references. One think which did quit upset me and wasted a lot of my time was the small misunderstandings when one minute I was told to animate the cranes flying in the back then animate the window scene alone. This did how waste valuable time. 

The 2D animation I am set to work on:

Window Scene

Making the Crane scene

Side View Crane

Top View Crane

Running scene

Back view running

side view running

Weekly Process and Aims

Tuesday i met up with Anja showed her what was done so far and spoke about the files i sent to her the previous week. We then looked and talked about my next movements as well as improving the hospital room as she decided that more = objects should be included. i will produce that specificity and will texture those additional objects.

i manage to scan my 2D animation drawings into the lime tester to test and have a look at it and ways i can improve it.

Below are my first scan in, not actual 2D Animation

To also improve and add additional frames as well as improve my storyboards i took out a book called 'the storyboard design course' Giuseppe Cristiano very useful.

i also took home the refernce movie files of the run that Anja and Dan done on Monday 4th May.

PPD DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY

Week 3

I felt that not enough work has been given so I called Anja and told her I am modeling more to the bedroom as it looks rather plain and empty with just the dip, table and bed. It definitely needed a few chairs, lamps and lights to create that complete look.

This week I mainly busy with modeling and work.... I found that rather then wasting time going into uni I could do my modeling at home, however i stayed in contact with Anja via the photo when files were going to be sent or if a problem occurred.  At this point conversations were straightforward and straight to the point. So far I have UV mapped and learnt how to use the UV texture editor.

Although I had been at work a lot of the time this week I had made sure that my work was up to date. To ensure that have enough time to complete all targets set I turned down most shifts for the rest of the term.

Week 2

Week 2 My main aim this week is to really play around with the bedroom scene and improve the modeling as best as I can. I fee that to a certain degree there is a lack of understanding in how the final bed will look like after rendered however I have adjusted the changes and applied what was said which I do feel was met ages ago. 

After being told to model the scene into 3 different maya document in term 2 I had taken notes making sure I understood the structure of the room and where things are located. 

On friday spoke to Anja and showed her the model... and left time to improve on it once again... My next task would be to UV snapshot objects so that the file is ready to be textured after it is planner mapped.

Pick up references for 2D animation of the video recordings.  

TERM 3

Week One

A group meeting was held everyone attended which was great; even better we had a chance to understand the brief in more depth. My main concern and focus this term is to produce as much work as I can in order to build on my portfolio.

The meeting was great with Dan Dali: the notes I dropped down helped give me a better picture of what it is I must do which are as follows:

9 Weeks till deadline

Art Work

- Storyboards
- An animatic will be produced from the storyboards I draw
- go over the story one last time making sure I understand all major changes
- Concept drawings
- texturing
- modelling: hospital rooms, the hospital

Technical

-rigging
- Effects
- Practical
- lighting
- post production
- composing
- (layers)
- screen crab
- coding
- 2D
- 3D
- Live action
- final outcome
- cam angels

Animation

- secondary animation
- 2D animation – window and making the crane
- children playing

Easter Break

Due to various problems and other units interfering I did not manage to upload much work. After careful planning and reading over the brief again I have managed to set myself realistic targets, my intentions for this Easter holiday is to work hard on building a professional portfolio and update my blog to meet the standards required.

I will be working on 3 scenes – I will be modeling them and experimenting with the lightings and texture…. As well as planner mapping each object modeled.

This however will not be enough work so I will be designing characters, drawing storyboards as well as concept drawings in order to gain marks.

In addition to this, I will experiment various scenes such as the explosion and animating in 2 scenes in 2D using the lime tester.

Although not much work has been produced I have mainly started on various areas and planned what will be done each day of the week, ensuring that I gain a decent mark.

Before starting to model the scenes assigned to me, I needed to have a feeling see examples of origami objects already produced to use as guidance and examples.

Here are a few images found – I picked these images to use as reference because of the beautiful folds they have. My aim is to be able to create these folds in 3D giving that nice paper effect to it.

TERM 3 Week 1

Its the first week of term 3, my main aim is to focus hard on building on my portfolio and learning as well as refreshing my memory in softwares such as maya, photoshop, after effects ect.Week one started by a fresh start, we all met Daniel Dalli and became familiar with the brief again and what was required. This meeting  was rather useful in many ways but most importunely in understanding where we stand with the film and how we will work as a team. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE as well as reporting at the start of the BA year I will be away from Saturday till Tuesday I also refreshed some memories that  I am away again in the meeting on Monday.

Throughout term 1 & 2 alot was unclear with who will work on the film as well as problems with setting targets and deadlines. It very important that regular meeting are set at a time where everyone is free or at least meeting half way. The meeting held on monday pretty much broke that down.

On Wednesday a group meeting was help in order to fix a few problems that have occurred on the lighting and shadow situation. Me and Simon were the first to get there... we mainly met up to talk about texturing for Anja however the issue about the lighting wasted the few hours we planned meeting and talking about the texturing.

This meeting just felt like every other meeting we had in term 1 and 2.... a little bit pointless but slightly useful.....  we looked at the storyboard again and agreed on which scenes we will keep for sure and the camera angels used in that shot.

In terms of the texturing I was mainly concerned in, to my understanding i believe on a number of occasions that the movie will be textured in paper.

Thursday I worked on a few extra storyboard frames and had a quick look at camera angels.... one frame mainly focused on the character looking out the hospital window at kids playing and enjoying their selfs.

In Term 2 one of my tasks were to model the hospital bedroom... this however was not good enough so i was told on redo it....  The main problems with the modeling was it was not rough enough to show through the texture and not delivering the paper textured look. While trying my very best to model this I felt that research would help provide a good enough reference and paint a clear picture to ensure that what I am doing is correct.

I was, but however this is where I came across a cutout cardboard picture where I felt would help viewers understand the modeling more when seeing the thick edge of the cardboard in some objects.

Photoshop Backgrounds

In the image below you can see how i have imported one of my final frames into photoshop in order to edit it and explore what photoshop can do seen as I have a much better understanding of the software. I now understand how to adjust changes and cut unwanted parts as well as using the bushes.

This frame shows kids running and crying, this image is straight after the bomb hits the city. I cut out the background and added them to a layer, locking it so that I can create a smoke effect. This was just mainly be playing around with photoshop trying to understand it more.

Again by changing the background you can now see a light blue sky. In comparison to the next frames this image is only one of a few images that creates a happy mood because of the bright colors.  

Again in Photoshop I had taken this image offline and changed the colour, lighting and texture so that I use it as a background for the front view of her running and dropping. 

This how the image looks with a black white background and a cutout of her running from another frame

Once again I tried to create a smoke effect by using certain bushes and changing the colour. 

Final Storyboard Frames

Term 2 Animatic

Below is an animatic I put together using Flash is not perfect but shows different camera angels and different ways to create emotions by various shots.

Character Drawings and Storyboard Frames

These are some character designs i have done for the film im working on.

Storyboard Frames

Character Designs

The drawings below are of the same character showing her in different camera angles. After finding out the character will be designed in 2D and not 3D i drew up these.....

Straightforward Drawings

This building is one of many that have been affected by the explosion. I decided to draw it because as I felt it would be effective to use in the animatic, as it delivers to the viewers to the major after effects of the explosion. I will also play around with Photoshop once I become more familiar with it I will create smoke.

A simple example of how the camera angel will look when the character falls to her knees once her illness kicks in.

Facial expressions is something I researched earlier, below are some expressions that show her looking sad, happy, confused etc

These are some frames of Anja’s character of Sadako posing… this is her throwing the crane above her in the air

Below is a picture I drew of Sadako when she was young is image does not show that much happiness but however it creates sadness when looking at it, you straight away feel sorry for her.

This image could be a shoot for the back view of Sadako running as that is what she loves doing the most.

Below is just a pose of sadako running

A still shot of her dropping the crane, emotionless

This short film will be very emotional and sad so I thought that drawing the woods with no colours might help create that sad emotion through the dark colours. This is certainly one frame I plan on using in my storyboard.

Drawings

Cutout Images

The images listed below those that we intend on using for the productions, certain parts of them had to be cut so that was one small task I worked on while researching.

These are the beautiful images selected by Anjar that I worked on.

Research

The images listed below those that we intend on using for the productions, certain parts of them had to be cut so that was one small task I worked on while researching.

These are the beautiful images selected by Anjar that I worked on.

A lot of intense research was spent on paper cut out dolls, background patterns, water colours, Japanese origami and wooden cut outs. Below is what I manage to find online.

Paper Cut Outs

Images such as paper dolls I found help set an inspirational example as to how the final character will be designed. This great piece of art was too much of a great example, which I felt, must be looked at.

Images of paper cranes to help Dan who will be producing it on Maya can get a photographic reference and how to make it as well as actually holding one.

Both patterns and background cut out were researched to help use as reference for backgrounds in scenes. A lot of these patterns can be cut and edited in Photoshop creating a great environment.

Japanese wood cuts were an amazing piece of art, offering their beautiful cultural and traditional images crafted in pieces of wood.




This particular piece of art below is the Chinese Diamond Sutra was the oldest known book in the whole world. It was printed in the 9th year of Xiantong fra of Tang dynasty.

Camera Angels

I had done quite a lot of research on camera angels practically when she is running. Below show a number of different angels and other shots.











Body language and facial expressions

This film includes a huge amount of music and hardly any narration nor talking, so I felt it was very important to research on facial expressions and body language to express does thoughts. That’s why I used these images as reference.

This film is very emotional; a lot of these emotional feelings are expressed via the use of body language and facial expressions.

Character Design

We wanted Sadako to be a 2D character but look like Sadako so we found a few images online of her. There were not a lot but enough to show how she looked and clothing style.

Backgrounds

Still images of buildings which were affected by the explosion send a message of corruption. Still images create just as much emotion as it would if it was moving. Slow sad music can also help create sad emotions.

Japanese Clothing

I researched some Japanese clothing’s to help design the character, the images below deliver beautiful cultural clothing by the way their patterns amazingly come together. It is also similar clothing to what Sadako Sasaki use to wear.

Introduction ANI303

For this unit I choose to work full time with Anjar on her film called ‘1000 Cranes for Peace’ and working part time on Louisa’s film. I feel that by working on this powerful 2D film I can learn so much. I want to be able to develop and be able to improve on my professional creative skills. I am to be able to create a great piece of work using, Photoshop, Maya and after affects at the same time improving my technical skills to place in my portfolio.

In Louisa’s group I intend on modelling fish and birds, this term I will research on both types of animals and do some drawings on how it would look in 2D.

As for Anjar’s movie I will concentrate and conduct a large amount of research relevant to the film and also insure that I work and communicate with Anjar on a regular basis to help insure research and targets are met.

A lot of my research will be based on body language, facial expressions, camera angels, character designs and images of environments. From that research I want to create a mood board and model sheet.

As a producer I will produce contracts, which will be direct, and straight to the point highlighting what the persons responsibly is. A project plan set to help keep track of time and create an understanding of budget. I will also produce a timetable which will help individuals plan their timing well.

This sad emotional story is based on Sadako Sasaki who was only the age of two when the atomic bomb hit Japan in 1945. It was 10 years later that she was diagnosed with leukaemia and died at the age of 12. Sadako loved to run from such a young age and was very passionate about it but sadly she fell ill and was told she will die after a year. She lost all hope until she was visited by a close friend who told her that if she made 1000 paper cranes she will be granted a wish. With all faith and excitement she began making them but sadly only manage to make just over 600.

A copy of the contract is below:

CONTRACT FOR SERVICES

1. A G R E E M E N T dated and between and

2. Simon Butler contracts directly with (From here on called, Editor).
For the rights for adaptation, production, co-production, and exploitation of the ‘1000 Cranes of Peace’ Production, on which he the Editor shall perform services as:

3. Editor will participate in the development and production of whatever additional material is required, and ensures that weekly tasks are met.

4. The copyright for everything created for the ‘1000 Cranes of Peace’
Production shall remain the property of Anja Tolar any royalties and revenue from this project, and any further developed of the same concept including, but not limited to: storyboards, backgrounds, cut-outs, art work, models, animation and/or other
pre-print materials whether in the possession of Mrs Anjor Tolar, or not.

5. The above mentioned Editor, is however entitled to use any part of the ‘1000 Cranes of Peace’ Production that they have worked on for their own show reel and personal promotion.

6. The Editor should be given the right to personally perform any required re-working of the work, including any corrections, additions, deletions, changes, reediting, or sound remixing required.

7. If the above mentioned Editors best efforts to re-work the film
do not meet with the approval of Anjar Tolar, the director shall, at his sole discretion, have the final right to make said corrections and the Editor shall furnish necessary components in Editors possession to ‘1000 Cranes of Peace’ Productions.

8. The Director has the right to ask the Editor to participate in promotional efforts such as workshops, speeches, writing for publication, etc.

9. This agreement constitutes the whole agreement between the parties and may not be modified except by the written consent of both parties.
Nothing in this agreement shall be construed to create the relationship of employer and employee between the parties.

10. This agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United Kingdom, and shall be valid in all countries of the world.

ACCEPTED AND AGREED: 1000 Cranes of Peace Production


By______________________ By_______________________