Changes/Modification To Storyboard

At the beginning of the term when we first created our story board, we over estimated what we could achieve in the time period. We have only got halfway through our storyboard and our animation is due at the end of the week. Although we have not finihsed the original storyboard idea, we are happy with what we have completed and are very proud of it. I don't regret not completing this storyboard and am not disapointed, as we have worked extremely hard and simply bit off more than we could chew to begin with.



We have only completed to the end of ZAP's dance, and have ended it there. The host comes on stage and stops Bone's from doing his dance. He than talks about the next episod, like they do on the televison ad/trailers on televisdion which is in the criteria.

31.8.09

This lesson, Alicia was also absent. She was at morning tea and we planned out the lesson, but come sixth period she did not turn up. The original plan was for Miranda and I to complete the filming and for Alicia to work on the sound, but this was changed as Alicia was not there.



We originally thought that we would end with the same scence as we started with and the idea was to just take the begininng and paste it into the end. We decided though,m that we wanted Bones to be starting his dance and we wanted the host to come on stage, stop him and talk to the audience about the next episode of 'Dance and Die'. This required filming as this hd not been shot before. Although this was a more diffivult plan, we decided that it would work better and make the end product look better as it will be different. We filmed this ending this lesson, although we experienced both computer and camera troubles.


The laptop that I had checked out from the library was signed into windows and this could not be fixed by us. However, it was only aftr wasting fifteen minutes trying to fix it that we realised it, so I went to the library to hand it in to the librarian and borrow out a different laptop. When I returned from the library, Miranda and I discovered that the Camera we had borrowed out did not have a cable to attatch it to the computer, so Miranda went to track down the missing cord. When she returned we were finally ready to start filming, with only a little over fifteen minutes left of the lesson. Although we were rushed or time, we still managed to film the ending and have now completely finished filming which is a relief.

As I am leaving early on Thursday (12pm), and I will miss Thursdays lesson which is the final submission date for our film, as previously blogged. I am missing the lesson for a make up math test which means I will not be there for anymore creative media lessons where we will be working on this task. As it is a group task, Miranda and Alicia will still be able to work on the assignment, but I will have to catch up. Although I will not be there on the submission date, I still feel like I have contributed well to the assignment andf I don't think the time away has affcted me.

Exporting To Movie Format

As the films are created on iStopMotion, they are saved as that file. Although that is the file that they are automatically saved as, it is not an effective way to save for purposes other than working on the project. Posting the work up on blogger, for example, is impossible to do if the piece is saved as an iStopMotion file. The way to change the formatting of the file is, insteading of saving using the save button, you simply export the file. Doing this, you can choose from a large list the type of file you wish to save the project as. My group saves the piece as both and iSopMotionpiece to work on it and as a Quicktime piece which is the movie format. This format plays on PC computers while the other format doesn't as iStopMotion is only a Mac program.

Duplicating Frames

One frame on the iStopMotion program only goes for one tenth of a second and, when played, this is extremely fast. If one desires a frame to go longer than this, all one has to do is duplicate the frame, creating another frame which is identical. This results with the frame going for two tenths of a second even though they are actually two different frames. If it is desired that the smae frame go on for five seconds, all that needs to be done, instead of trying to caaputure the scene fifty times, is that the one frame need only be duplicated 49 times, guaranteed to be identical.



If it is desired for something to go over a long period of time, it can be a long proccess capturing the scene so many times. It is also possible for things to be moved or go off balance etc. wwhich recks the entire mood of the piece, particualy when it becomes obvious that there has been movement which it often is as it is difficult to get the pieces i the exact same positions. Even the slightest movement an be detecatable when watching the final product.



-stops moving of set and props.

Examples of iStopMotion

http://monstervine.com/wp-content/2009/03/wallace-and-gromit.jpg

WALLACE AND GROMIT

Wallace and Gromit are the main characters in a series of four British, animated short films as well as one feature film. All the characters in the show were made from moulded plasticine and modelling clay on metal armatures and filmed with an iStopMotion program.

The story line of the series is about Wallace (an inventor who is extremely enthusiastic about cheese) and his kanine companion Gromit is anthromorphic, (the attribution of human characteristics to non-human creatures) and extremley intelligent. Although Wallace does speak, Gromit does not (Staying true to his role as a dog), although he is extremely success ful at conveying his thoughts and feelings through this bodylanguage and facial expressions with a focus on the eyebrows. The pair go on many fun and crazy adventures as the many storylines take them to different places.

The series was created by Nick Park and is the most successful and famous Stop Motion piece to date even recieving an Oscar. It was first started in 1989 and is still continuing at present with a new installment announced to be released on October the 3rd 2007. Wallace and gromit is created using Stop Motion with all characters created out of Clay. As a result of the technique used, Walllace and gromit takes a long time to be created, but it definetly pays of as the shows is so popular and enjoyable to watch.

26.8.09

This lesson, Alicia was basent from school. We have just fallen into a pattern every lesson: Miranda gets film camera and stand and sets them up. Fynn Borrows a laptop from the library and sets that up, realdy to go. Alicia travels to the scheduled classroom and tells Mr Powell the plan and after that, she also borrows out a laptop. She usually focuses on the sound so we can complete multiple tasks at once. As we only had two lessons together after this lesson,we need all the filming time possible and are trying to get the sound done as well as the filming.

This lesson, we began to film our bones piece. We were making sure that we were reguarly saving our work (Miranda was moving bones and I was working the camera/laptop computer) when teh program shut down. As we had been saving reguarly, we didn't lose that much work which was lucky, but we did lose a little section that was unsaved which was very annoying. Not only this, but the laptop freezed up meaning that we not only lost work, but we couldn't get right back into it. We ended up having no progress on Bone's dance made in this lesson as we were doing work on the time inbetween ZAP and Boness dances which isn't an obvious improvement.

I have found out that I will be away on friday, the day that this piece is due. This is very frustrating as it means I will only be able to be there on the last lesson, meaning that the other two in my group will have more work to do. THis means that we only have two more lessons as a group. On Monday's lesson, the plan is to complete Bone's dance, and we will have to be quick to set up and get maximum filming time to achieve this. On Wednesday's lesson, we will have hopefully finished Bone's dance, but if not, we will finish it then. We will then complete the voice overs and soundtrack to finish it. I am confidenty that we will be able to complete everything on time, but we will have to work well to do this, which I know we are capable of doing. I am hoping that our final product will be a really well made film as we have worked so hard to produce it and finish it on time.

Importing and Exporting Images

At the beginning of this term, Mr Powell explained and showed us how it is possible to import and export a frame as an image from iStopMotion. Using this, it is possible to take a frame from iStopMotion and bring it into photshop. On photoshop, we can use the abilities learnt in term one during the photoshop/avatar unit and edit the image. This could include drawing over the top, adding other puctures on top, chanigning the colours and adding writing. After the image has be edited and changed, it can be put back into the piece. This can make the piece look more impressive and effective. The problem with this is that they must be edited frame by frame, and could be an extremely lenghty process.

Using Plasticine

When filming ZAP's dance, we were finding it extremely hard to get him to stand up by himself. We wanted him to complete moves which weren't able to be done. During our last filming lesson, I had a stroke of genius, PLASTICINE! We found some black plasticine and although one might think it looks obvious, but as the plastisine is black, it easily blends into the background when placed right, similar to the black glove effect which has been used by many. This technique has allowed us to make ZAP do some things which look amazing, but could not have been done without the support of the plasticine. The two main problems are the placement of the plasticine and the smoothness of the plasticine, which both result in it being visible to one watching the piece. If it is plaed off to the side or is suddenly moved, it becomes very obvious that the plasticine has been used. Another problem is that if the plasticine is lumpy or seperated, the joining areas are visible. We have solved these problems by smoothing down the plasticine continuously and ensuring that the plasticine can not be seen with the camera man checking these things.

24.8.09

This lesson we re-filmed the work we had lost the previous lesson. Alicia kept working on the soundtrack for the piece and Miranda and I worked on the iStopMotion piece. We were extremely happy as we were able to finish the whole of ZAP's dance this lesson. Usually, it takes us around two entire lesson to film a characters dance which means we cut off half the time. I am very happy with the end product as it looks really good. As ZAP is very unique and has a bone structure which allows him to do amazing things, it was hard to get him to complete some things. To begin we thought it would be really easy for him as the figurine has no bones/joints, but it was actually quite difficult. As he has no structure in his limbs and small feet, it turned out to be extremely hard to keep him balanced. This was also a problem with batman but as his moves were supposed to be jerky, as he was doing the robot, this worked out well. I was also difficult to make his movements appear fluent and we didn't have the same excuse as with batman as ZAP's movements were supposed to be extremely smooth and fluent.

Next lesson we will be working on Bones's dance. His dance is different to both and it is extremely individual. The way the figurine is built will make it easier than the other two to move. This is because he has extremely easy to move limbs as we have found out and the style of dance will allow for the finished product to be extremely smooth and hopefully love really effective.

20.8.09

This creative media lesson we continued filming our piece. This lesson, I was moving ZAP and Miranda was operating the camera/laptop and the product looked very good. Alicia worked on the soundtrack for the piece and we will continue doing this as the third prson will be able to serve a purpose. This lesson, Alicia got the theme song from batman and chopped it up until we had around seven seconds that were perfectly matching our iStopMotion film. However, about 20 minutes away from the end of the lesson, the computer shut down and the work hadn't been saved. It ws very upsetting as an entire lesson of filming was wasted and we don't have many left. Although it was devestating, we just have to move forward as it was entirely our own fault, a silly mistake. The reason we hadn't been saving as much as we should have, was that the way we were saving our work took up to 10 minutes to save, wasting lots of valuable filming time. We have to see the silver lining, that we will never make that mistake again.

19.8.09 Lesson

This lesson, Miranda and Alicia did not com until near the end. Mr Powell taught me how to set up the camera so I can do that now. I basically watched he enteries for the minus-60 film festival and waited for them to come back as the saved version was not on my USB as I saved the wrong version previously. Watching the enteries was entertaining as I got to watch everyones movies, but I also got some ideas of things tht e wuld incorporate into our piece.

14.8.09

This lesson we had to completely set up our stage again as someone had moved it. Despite our best efforts, it is still visible in the piece which is upsetting. We finished batmans dancing this lesson which was exciting. Next lesson, we will start with ZAP's dance. I think I am going to be moving the figurine when we move onto the next dance so I am not sure how that will go. As I had been absent prior to this, I was a little rusty and needed some help when doing some simple things although I have the hang of it now.

17.8.09 Lesson

During today's lesson, we continued filming. I moved the figures this time as it has been Miranda and Alicia which have done this up to this point, mainly Miranda. I think I need some more practice until I have it up to their standards but I think it was a good first attempt. I enjoyed doing this as I learnt how to move the limbs etc. just a small amount.

Version Seven

THis is the seventh version of our iStopMotion piece. Since the last version, ZAP has begun his dance. Up until now, Miranda and Alicia have moved the figurines, but I was the one who moved ZAP. We feel as if we may repeat this filmingas we are not very happy with it but I am glad that I had an opportunity to move the figures. Naturally, I was not expecting it to be that good as it ws my first try.

Version Six

This is the sixth version of our iStopMotion piece

Onion Skin

Onion skins are when you open an existing project and are able to use where you finished off with the last frame and line upyour new frame if you wish to continue. It allows you to line up the frames so that you can set up your stage and props, looking as though it remained the same the entire time. It allows you to see the two layers, one almost transparent and this is how you can libne them up. If the onion skin was not available, it woud be basically impossibvle to film on different days without that being obvious.

Barbie Flashdance Inspiration

THis piece is very famous within the StHildas school community. It was created by a student here, and has been shown both in class and during assemblies. It was created using iStopMotion and I think it is amazing. I hope we will be able to produce work half as good as it.

iSopMotion Inspiration

This is an example of a short film created by iStopMotion. The creator, Pez, creates many similar pieces. I hope that our end product will be as effectuve as this, although it will be longer. When we were shown these in class, I was inspired and I realised that to create something short and effective like this would be achievable for us.

Items Going Missing

One of the issues we have had with our filming, is that we have been storing our props in a bad in the cupboard where we were instructed, and other students have been touching, moving and taking tese things. We had the blue snoopy bag we were using go missing for around a week until it was found, and some figures have had limbs snapped off. Luckily, they were not figures we were using but it is still disrespetful of other peoples property to do somthing like that. We now keep our figures hidden in a boxish container, as every lesson when we go to get our characters, we find them strewn across the different lockers. On one occassion, we couldn't find a character and if it hadn't been for Mr Powell finding it, we woudl have presumed it lost.

Verson Five

This is the fifth version of our iStopMotion piece. No nem filming has taken place, but when you compare this version to the previuos one there are drastic imrovements. It has been fixed up and messy parts have be removed or changed. There are no hands or body parts in any shots and everythig goes together smoothly now. I wa absent while this version was taking place, and Miranda and Alicia did this as they could not film while I was away.

Version Four

This is the fourth version of our iStopMotion piece. It now goes for 32 seconds. Although I think thr movement quality is great, some parts need to be fixed up. There arepaces where you can see shadows moving and where it is obvious the stage etc. has been moved or reset. There is one part inperticular before he has flown in where there is a couple of seconds of the camera just all over the place which has to be changed as it looks very messy and unproffessional.

Version Three

This is the third verson of our iStopMotion piece. We now have batman, the first dancer in our competion, fly onto the stage and begin his dance. We have chosen to have him fly into the scene as it suits his character. Batman does a kind of robot like stiff dance. We got him to fly in by using fishing wire and holding this where it is not viible to the camera.

Version Two

This is the second version of our iStopMotion piece. Since the first version, no more filming has actually taken place. The difference between this verion adn the last version, it that we have duplicated the previous footage of three seconds six times so that it now goes for eighteen seconds. We did this as we thought it would be very hard to continue filming as we would have to se u again. The alinments would be different and it would be obvious that the stage has been set up again as it is basically impossible to get all the props etc. in the exact same place.

Being Absent

...jeib

FIlming Lesson Two

THis was our second lesson of filming. We were in R3 for this lesson and we all preferd this better as it better suited our style. We have decied to leave our set up there permenentley and just travel there each lesson to wor. We have decided upon this as we believe it will be much easier for us this way as having to set up each lesson and pack up is very hard. If we dicided to just take everything with us and set it up agin each time, making sure it almost perfectly replicates the last one, we would only get around fifteen minutes of filming time each lesson and that will not allow us to finish shooting our movie. This will allow us to accomplish much more and produce work of a higher standard as we will not be rushed for time. When setting things up again there is also the issue of making the two look the same. In our experiences is is practically impossible to make the two look the same, particualry in this scenario as the fabric we use for our background will fall differently each time we re-esemble our stage set.