AM50372-7
Creative and Enterprise - Project conclusion
Neil Ratcliffe
Self-directed project
We were directed to design projects that
fitted into our focus skill set. The project should cover the following ideas:
Generate ideas
My initial plan was to create something short but of
high-quality. I also wanted to develop something that would fit in with my new
business, a software sales website. I decided to create a short animation/ident
that would prefix video tutorials, of the products I would be selling.
Develop ideas
At this point I had to form what I was planning to do,
how my planned animation would come together, what areas would I like to
investigate, and how they will connect together. To assist in the development
of ideas I used online video resources like vimeo. This helped me fully form
the direction in which I wanted to go and how I would develop the final
outcome.
Present proposal
I now had to present my ideas to the class and my
tutors, so they fully understood the project and the direction in which I
wanted to take it. I created a PowerPoint presentation, which introduced them
to a little background, the level of quality I wanted to achieve and what I was
planning at that point.
Reflect on out come
The final area of the project was to reflect on what we had done and how
we would change it next time, what improvements we might make and identify areas
in which we can improve. This is part of this document.
Initial plan
Initially I was going to use
light and transparency within Cinema 4D, and examine how these could be
affected by colour. This would inform the direction of the animation and how I
would put it together. Before any investigations really took place, I became
very interested in how to create more organic elements. I started to investigate
how I could incorporate this within my animation. I looked at physical real
world ways and software options to create these effects. I concluded that both
options were viable but by creating the elements in the real world and
recording this would probably achieve faster and just as impressive results.
The only issue with the really world option was that it could not be
controlled.
Blogging
As part of the project, I
tried to record my progression on the blog. From the start I found this a difficult
task. With assistance from my dyslexia tutor and a scheduled timetable, I
believe I improved this area of my work. I hope that for the next project this
will stand me in good stead from the outset. I also believe that when used
correctly, the blog helps me to rethink my ideas.
Planning
To create the look I was
after, I had to investigate which software I had to use and whether it would be
viable or how I could achieve this look by recording it in the real world. I
also had to decide how I was going to put this together and in what sequence.
The best way in which to do this would be to create a storyboard. This is
something I did not do but believe it would have helped to structure my idea. I
also had to take into account rendering times for the 2D/3D software I was
using and how this would impact on my deadline.
Creating
The first step in creating
the animation was to model in 3D the RGB tools logo. This was to be taken from
the 2D graphic. This started off with sketches and then further development within
3D software. This logo model became the core element to my animation.
The next stage was then to try and record the
ink in water effect. I created a stage (see image below) with lights and used my
camera on a tripod. It was important the stage was lit well as I wanted to bleach
out the background so only the ink would be pick up by the camera.
I filled a transparent container with water
and dropped in ink from above. I filmed from just below the water line, filling
the screen. I also mixed some acrylic paint with water and using a plastic
syringe to squirt this into the water. Both methods created great results. The
only issue I had was the camera used an auto focus and as the water became
darker, the camera focused on the reflection on the front of the container.Creating the environment
Once I had rendered out my footage, I used
the ink in water footage with my 3D models and combined the elements in postproduction.
I edited the elements of animation to a piece of music I had chosen. I decided
on a short sting, it starts off slowly and then explodes. I felt this matched
the footage and added to the intensity of the piece.
Final Product
rgbtools.co.uk intro video 1 from BeeBlu on Vimeo.
Conclusion - what I would do different next time
One of the main areas in which I struggled
with was time management in terms of how to fit the project in, not just round
my personal life but my new self-employed status. I was also in a position
where I was starting two businesses. The project was designed to sit along side
rgbtools (one of the new businesses) but the time it took to set up encroached
on time that should have been committed to the project. I think I had just taken
too much on, but I think with better planning next time I will remove some of
the stress.
One area that has changed the outcome of the
project was the rendering time of the animations. Even though I have a powerful
computer, to achieve the quality I was after I think I’ll need to look at ways
of speed up this process. One possible option is to use a render farm. This is
something I’m investigating for my next project; the only possible issue may be
the cost.
I don’t think I’m quite finished with the ink
in water idea. I have only today received a better camera for filming. I will
reshoot my ink in water footage in an attempt to increase the quality of the
final animation. I would also like to explore further the idea of the environment
for housing the logo. More to come I think!
