Animation Fundamentals/Final Project

 -SPETEMBER 24, 2024

29/11/2024 - 28/12/2024 (Week 11 – Week 15)

Wang Yifan / 0368363

Animation Fundamentals / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylors University

Final Project

INSTRUCTIONS

 

Final Project: Action Animation

In the final project, we are required to use our character from our previous project 1 and animate a 5 second physical action sequence. We can choose an action sequence that involves physical movement, such as a fight, chase, or sports-related activity. Then, we have to develop a clear understanding of the desired outcome, key actions, and the emotions we want to convey in the scene.

Storyboard

Before starting on animating, I drew the storyboard first. The scenes are inspired by my story idea on Film Studies and Cinematography. From storyboard idea 2, I modify it to a more connected action in the scenes. After drawing on the storyboard, I proceeded to search for the actions online, then I drew out rough animation. 

Storyboard Idea #1

Storyboard Idea #2

Clean 

Following the rough animation, I draw the character in Project 1A and he action.

Clean Animation

Tie Down

Then, I draw the tie down animation for all the scenes.

Scene 1 - Tie Down Animation

Scene 2 - Tie Down Animation

Scene 3 - Tie Down Animation

Background 

After finishing the tie up animation of all the scenes, I draw the background for all the scenes. 

Scene 1 - Background

Scene 2 - Background

Animation 

Then, I also coloured the character and placed them into the scenes.

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Scene 4

Edit video

Then I added soothing background music and corresponding scene sounds to the video I edited.

Final Project: Action Animation

Final Storyboard

Final Action Animation

Youtube Link : LINK

REFLECTION

Experience

Working on this final project was both challenging and rewarding. Although the animation only lasted a few seconds, it required significant effort and attention to detail. From the beginning, I aimed to create a dynamic scene that would test my creativity and technical skills. This process involved careful planning, starting with storyboarding and culminating in the final animation. One of the most intense stages was translating body motion into fluid animation, especially when certain parts didn’t go as planned. However, these challenges provided valuable opportunities to refine my understanding of animation principles such as timing, spacing, and exaggeration. Seeing the completed animation was immensely satisfying, as it represented the culmination of my hard work and dedication.

Observations

Throughout the project, I gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of pre-production. A well-thought-out storyboard saved considerable time during the animation phase. Additionally, I became more aware of the nuances of physical motion—subtle variations in movement or follow-through actions became much clearer to me. Using real-life references played a crucial role in ensuring the animation felt authentic, even when it leaned toward exaggeration. I also observed how minor adjustments, like refining arcs or tweaking ease-ins and ease-outs, significantly impacted the animation's overall flow and believability.

Discoveries

One key insight I gained was the importance of understanding a character’s personality and motivation to make their movements purposeful and meaningful. This understanding helped create animation that felt intentional and thoughtful. I also realized the value of staying organized throughout the project. Breaking the process into smaller, manageable tasks not only made the work less overwhelming but also ensured consistency across all scenes. Exploring different tools and techniques expanded my technical skillset and allowed me to discover new ways to approach animation challenges. These lessons will undoubtedly shape how I tackle future projects, emphasizing thorough planning and a commitment to both creative and technical excellence.