Acting Tests

Over this weekend I have got stuck into some quick animation tests for my character and her boat. I must say that I hadn't realised how difficult it was to animate a boat... keeping it's structure and angle is hard, but I think I'm getting to grips with it.

 

*I feel that I should make a little model of my character so that I can use it to visualze angles easier - plus it would be super fun*

 

 

The above test was my playing around with moving the layers within a painted photoshop image and using some of the simulation effects. Obviously I used the snow effect and I must say that it brings a whole other dimension to the scene and I am thrilled with how it looks. I will definately be using these effects in the final film.

 

 

 

I conducted this test just of the girl, in her boat, her blowing and boat rocking, just for a feasibility study... and it's a good job I did so as I have now found that it it very hard to keep my lines flowing together and to get smooth animation with this design, which is what I wanted... I need her to be subtle, and the boiling does not create that illusion. I may have to go back to the drawing board in reference to her decoration, but I'm really happy with her overall shape and design. Maybe just plain colour and texture?

 

 

Here is another test but more challenging, she is sat in her boat, when she sees something in the distance (a hint of other life perhaps?) and she jumps up and scrambles to the edge of her boat to peer out. I wanted to focus on her acting here and getting her to project an appealing nature, and I also wanted to focus on her weight in the boat, I feel that I have done both of these things very well and will keep this standard of animation for the film. While concentrating on the actual action I have left out her detail... and I think I like it better...

 

 

The final test I have is from another angle and Im looking at the water on the boat, colour contrasting and some more acting. She's looking around, soaking in her surroundings and enjoying the breeze.. I think this reads well and with the music combined would make for a very sweet scene.

 

*I do think I need to go back to her design

*I need to review my action storybaords

*Do some animation tests of her running from her boat

 

After feedback tomorrow I may change my direction of what I'm doing now... and I need to make sure that I'm really engaged and in on time this week as it's my Birthday next week end ^_^ (a.k.a - No work is being done)

 

Adios.