Above is the final result. I am happy with a lot of the aspects within the animation. The two scenes which I think are most successful are the Thai fish scene and the chocolate goat world. I think that the movements within this are most fluid and consistent. The scenes that are least successful include the starting scenes because I feel as if the movement is more rigid and I had a lot of problems with the puppet pin tool.
Overall, I think that I have achieved a surreal pop-up book that comes to life.
You can view the process of this animation below.
Research and Initial Ideas
I began the project by researching the type of animation I wanted to use. I knew that I wanted to make some kind of paper-cut animation so this is the area where I started to research. My initial thoughts also included my favourite animal- goats. I looked into different breeds of goat and I started to draw them to see where that would take me.
I am really inspired by the animation 'Giangrande- Paperplane' created by Gianluca Maruotti. It is a paper cut animation and it has a lovely sense of space and the transitions are very effective.
I wanted the colours within my animations to represent me and I think this is a very important aspect to consider. In the end after many colour tests, I have decided to go with lots of bright multicolours (maybe this represents how I can't choose between too many options!!) and also my positive outlook.
Original Character Design
With the idea of goats at mind I designed a goat who is called the 'Groves Guide Goat'. The idea being that the goat would guide you through the animation. I have also decided on the idea of a paper-pop-up book which will be pixelated. I am happy with this character because I think he has a lot of personality within his characteristics.
First Animatic
My initial animatic included the goat guiding throughout the animation and within every scene. However I was not feeling inspired by the narrative and so it was back to the drawing board to change it.
Concept Art
I came up with a new concept based on my original ideas but I wanted it to be more random with less of a storyline and more like an experience into different parts of my life. I took some scenes from my original ideas such as a Thailand/ travelling/ snorkelling aspects. I combined these together to create a concept that is visually appealing. I then started to consider what sort of characters and creatures would move throughout the scene and so I designed some fun little fish that would swim through the scene.
I also used the idea of my love for Chocolate to create a wonderland filled with all of my favourite sweet treats. I love watching films and tv so I based this surreal land on this.
Other scenes include the cheese hometown in which I already designed for the previous narrative idea. I also have a scene inspired by my previous thoughts about messiness and having lots of colourful patterned clothing.
I am really happy with these concept pieces because I think they give a real sense of what I am trying to create and a sense of parallax and space.
Final Character Designs
These are the final characters that I will use within my animation. The first character will pop-up from out of a messy pile of clothes and give a wave as socks fall from the sky. The next characters (cheese pigeons) will fly over the cheese hometown. The next characters will be these cute fish characters that will swim through the scene. The final character is an adaptation of my original Groves Guide goat, I have just changed the colours to match the chocolate scene. I am really happy with the goat character and the fish because I think they represent my illustrations style best.
Storyboard
This is the final storyboard for my personal ident. I have worked out all of the movements within each scene. The animations will be pixelated with hands coming in and turning the pages which creates a good transition from each scene.
Animatic
This animatic is very roughly sketches but it does however provide a basis for the timings of my animation exactly and this will be very helpful when it comes to animating.
Final Animation