This is my blog on how I created each part of my Visit Essex 3D animation.
Over the past eleven weeks I have been keeping notes on what work I have been doing. I have waited until the assignment was finished to add these notes to my blog.
This was done in order to create a chronological section order.
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Week 1: Assignment Outline & Initial Ideas
For this assignment we are required to assemble in to groups of 3 - 5 in order to create an animation featuring and promoting tourism in Essex.
Firstly, I decided that I wanted to do this assignment on my own. I decided this for a number of reasons:
1. I wanted full control of the animation.
2. I was not comfortable in forming a group with people who could be unreliable.
3. I wanted to keep consistency with the design of models and style of animation.
4. The animation would be useful for my personal portfolio.
We have been informed that we will be having a meeting with Ms. Elli Constantatou, the Marketing and PR Manager at Essex County Council, on Wednesday 29th September. This meeting will cover what she is most interested in seeing and her ideas on the animation. We were also informed of the possibility on having some of our animations to the website she manages. (www.visitessex.com).
This assignment gives us the unique opportunity to design and produce an animation for a client.
Personally, I am excited about this assignment. I have undertaken a vast amount of work but am confident that I will complete the assignment to a standard I am happy with.
Firstly, I decided that I wanted to do this assignment on my own. I decided this for a number of reasons:
1. I wanted full control of the animation.
2. I was not comfortable in forming a group with people who could be unreliable.
3. I wanted to keep consistency with the design of models and style of animation.
4. The animation would be useful for my personal portfolio.
We have been informed that we will be having a meeting with Ms. Elli Constantatou, the Marketing and PR Manager at Essex County Council, on Wednesday 29th September. This meeting will cover what she is most interested in seeing and her ideas on the animation. We were also informed of the possibility on having some of our animations to the website she manages. (www.visitessex.com).
This assignment gives us the unique opportunity to design and produce an animation for a client.
Personally, I am excited about this assignment. I have undertaken a vast amount of work but am confident that I will complete the assignment to a standard I am happy with.
Week 2: Meeting with Elli Constantatou & Initial Ideas
On September 29th 2010 all the groups had a meeting with Elli Constantatou, the Marketing and PR Manager at Essex County Council.
We were informed on what type of animations she expected from the groups the type of animations she would like to see.
We were given information on the different events that were held in Essex and statistics on tourism and were informed that we could interpret the brief however we wanted.
After the meeting I started to think about what I was going to animate.
I made the decision to feature locations and attractions that were appropriate for families. Further more, I decided to feature locations and attractions that were available all year round.
With this in mind I decided to include:
The Royal Gunpowder Mills
Colchester Zoo
The East Anglian Railway Museum
The North Weald Air Museum
Adventure Island
Audley End House and Grounds
Colchester Castle
I felt that these locations and activities would best represent Essex as a place suitable for family tourism at any time of year.
After I had decided what I was going to animate, I turned to the art style of the animation. Up until this point all my assignments had been modelled to be as photorealistic as possible. With this in mind I decided to use a bright, vibrant colour palate whilst creating realistic models.
Making the colour palate bright and vibrant would lend itself to the flow and pacing of the animation. I decided the animation would short and to the point with great care that it flowed smoothly into showing each attraction.
I then decided that I would include a voice-over to grab the attention the viewer and explain the different attractions.
I also decided to spend a lot of time on the sound effects and backing music to further draw the viewer into the animation.
Finally, I decided I need to include the Visit Essex website logo.
We were informed on what type of animations she expected from the groups the type of animations she would like to see.
We were given information on the different events that were held in Essex and statistics on tourism and were informed that we could interpret the brief however we wanted.
After the meeting I started to think about what I was going to animate.
I made the decision to feature locations and attractions that were appropriate for families. Further more, I decided to feature locations and attractions that were available all year round.
With this in mind I decided to include:
The Royal Gunpowder Mills
Colchester Zoo
The East Anglian Railway Museum
The North Weald Air Museum
Adventure Island
Audley End House and Grounds
Colchester Castle
I felt that these locations and activities would best represent Essex as a place suitable for family tourism at any time of year.
After I had decided what I was going to animate, I turned to the art style of the animation. Up until this point all my assignments had been modelled to be as photorealistic as possible. With this in mind I decided to use a bright, vibrant colour palate whilst creating realistic models.
Making the colour palate bright and vibrant would lend itself to the flow and pacing of the animation. I decided the animation would short and to the point with great care that it flowed smoothly into showing each attraction.
I then decided that I would include a voice-over to grab the attention the viewer and explain the different attractions.
I also decided to spend a lot of time on the sound effects and backing music to further draw the viewer into the animation.
Finally, I decided I need to include the Visit Essex website logo.
Week 3: Presentation
All the groups were required to give a presentation to the other groups. It was interesting to see the other groups ideas and there were definitely similarities with the different groups animation. A was apparent that at least two of the other groups had a similar idea to me.
After noticing these similarities I decided that I would change my initial thought on how I was going to execute my animation.
After noticing these similarities I decided that I would change my initial thought on how I was going to execute my animation.
Week 4: Development & Storyboard
After I decided on what I wanted to animate I took time to decide how I was going to animate it.
Because I wanted the animation to flow smoothly, I decided that all the attractions should be featured in one seamless animation. This would ensure a well paced interesting advertisement with constant description from the voice-over.
I decided that the camera should be flying along a winding road in the Essex countryside. As the camera rounds a bend, a new attraction appears. After the camera has rounded the next bend, the previous attraction would then disappear. This would ensure that only one attraction would ever be seen because the camera would sometimes point back to where it came from.
With this in mind I started to storyboard my animation. The storyboard is rough but gives a good idea of what I wanted.
1. The camera is high above England and dollies in through the clouds towards Essex.
2. The camera continues to dolly through the clouds and emerges above Essex where a car can be seen on a winding country road.
3. The camera levels out behind the car and follows it along the road. The camera then moves forward and overtakes the car.
4. The camera rounds a bend to reveal a roller coaster representing Adventure Island. A roller coaster car then zooms across the track.
5. The camera then rounds a bend to reveal Colchester Castle with a suit of armour waving at the camera.
6. The camera then rounds a bend to reveal a Baker Rifle representing the Royal Gunpowder Mills. The Rifle then cocks and fires producing smoke from the barrel.
7. The camera then rounds a bend to reveal a steam train representing the East Anglian Railway Museum with smoke emerging from the chimney.
8. The camera then rounds a bend to reveal Audley End House and Grounds.
9. The camera then rounds a bend to reveal a Spitfire representing the North Weald Air Museum. The Spitfire then swoops down over the camera and flies off.
10. The camera then rounds a bend to reveal an elephant that represents Colchester Zoo. The elephant then lifts its trunk, flaps its ears and trumpets.
11. The camera then rounds a bend, slows and lets the car move ahead. The camera then stops and fades to black as the car drives off into the sunset.
12. The scene fades in from black showing a model of Essex with each of the visited attractions highlighted on the model.
Because I wanted the animation to flow smoothly, I decided that all the attractions should be featured in one seamless animation. This would ensure a well paced interesting advertisement with constant description from the voice-over.
I decided that the camera should be flying along a winding road in the Essex countryside. As the camera rounds a bend, a new attraction appears. After the camera has rounded the next bend, the previous attraction would then disappear. This would ensure that only one attraction would ever be seen because the camera would sometimes point back to where it came from.
With this in mind I started to storyboard my animation. The storyboard is rough but gives a good idea of what I wanted.
1. The camera is high above England and dollies in through the clouds towards Essex.
2. The camera continues to dolly through the clouds and emerges above Essex where a car can be seen on a winding country road.
3. The camera levels out behind the car and follows it along the road. The camera then moves forward and overtakes the car.
4. The camera rounds a bend to reveal a roller coaster representing Adventure Island. A roller coaster car then zooms across the track.
5. The camera then rounds a bend to reveal Colchester Castle with a suit of armour waving at the camera.
6. The camera then rounds a bend to reveal a Baker Rifle representing the Royal Gunpowder Mills. The Rifle then cocks and fires producing smoke from the barrel.
7. The camera then rounds a bend to reveal a steam train representing the East Anglian Railway Museum with smoke emerging from the chimney.
8. The camera then rounds a bend to reveal Audley End House and Grounds.
9. The camera then rounds a bend to reveal a Spitfire representing the North Weald Air Museum. The Spitfire then swoops down over the camera and flies off.
10. The camera then rounds a bend to reveal an elephant that represents Colchester Zoo. The elephant then lifts its trunk, flaps its ears and trumpets.
11. The camera then rounds a bend, slows and lets the car move ahead. The camera then stops and fades to black as the car drives off into the sunset.
12. The scene fades in from black showing a model of Essex with each of the visited attractions highlighted on the model.
Week 5: Final Ideas
After reviewing my storyboard I decided to make some changes because I realised that the amount of work I would need to do was huge.
Firstly I decided to remove the car. It would take a long tile to model a car and driver that will need to be detailed because it’s so close to the camera. Seeing as the car would only be seen for about 10 seconds it would not be worth the time.
The second model I decided to remove from the animation was the waving suit of armour from Colchester Castle. I decided to remove this because I felt the model of Colchester Castle itself was enough to feature that attraction. I also decided to remove the model because the rigging and skinning of the model would take a long time and be difficult to look as though it was armour and nor an organic structure. I would also be rigging and skinning my elephant for animation so I was not worried about a lack of character animation.
The third model I decided to remove was Audley End House and Grounds. This was removed because I had already decided to include Colchester Castle as a historic building.
Finally, I decided to remove the locations of the attractions from the model of Essex. I decided to do this because on further investigation, the attractions I had chosen weren’t spread over Essex and it would not look very good.
I also decided to add some models to the animation.
First of all I decided to add a sign next to each attraction with that attraction logo. This would be to help identify the attraction.
I also decided to include two advertisement billboards featuring facts on all the houses and historic buildings in Essex, and Lakeside shopping centre.
Making these as billboards reduced the need to make large time consuming models. The billboards also aided to the look of the camera following a road.
I decided to turn the last scene with the model of Essex into an advertisement for the Visit Essex website. To do this I will use the Visit Essex logo and keep a colour theme for the Essex model.
I finally decided to add a ‘Welcome to Essex’ sign when the camera dollies into the road.
I also realised that depending on how the road was laid out, I might need to change the order of the attractions features.
All of these changes I feel were either necessary or would improve the quality of the animation.
Firstly I decided to remove the car. It would take a long tile to model a car and driver that will need to be detailed because it’s so close to the camera. Seeing as the car would only be seen for about 10 seconds it would not be worth the time.
The second model I decided to remove from the animation was the waving suit of armour from Colchester Castle. I decided to remove this because I felt the model of Colchester Castle itself was enough to feature that attraction. I also decided to remove the model because the rigging and skinning of the model would take a long time and be difficult to look as though it was armour and nor an organic structure. I would also be rigging and skinning my elephant for animation so I was not worried about a lack of character animation.
The third model I decided to remove was Audley End House and Grounds. This was removed because I had already decided to include Colchester Castle as a historic building.
Finally, I decided to remove the locations of the attractions from the model of Essex. I decided to do this because on further investigation, the attractions I had chosen weren’t spread over Essex and it would not look very good.
I also decided to add some models to the animation.
First of all I decided to add a sign next to each attraction with that attraction logo. This would be to help identify the attraction.
I also decided to include two advertisement billboards featuring facts on all the houses and historic buildings in Essex, and Lakeside shopping centre.
Making these as billboards reduced the need to make large time consuming models. The billboards also aided to the look of the camera following a road.
I decided to turn the last scene with the model of Essex into an advertisement for the Visit Essex website. To do this I will use the Visit Essex logo and keep a colour theme for the Essex model.
I finally decided to add a ‘Welcome to Essex’ sign when the camera dollies into the road.
I also realised that depending on how the road was laid out, I might need to change the order of the attractions features.
All of these changes I feel were either necessary or would improve the quality of the animation.
Week 6: Research & Preparation
It became apparent that it was necessary for my to fully research each of the attractions I was going to feature in my animation. The research was needed to accurately depict each attraction and the activities available.
The Royal Gunpowder Mills - I found that there were demonstrations of 19th century weaponry. I particular Muskets and flintlock Rifles. This helped me decide that I was going to animate an 1806 Baker Rifle
Colchester Zoo - By researching the animals at Colchester Zoo I discovered that they have both Indian and African elephants. This means that I could model and animate any one I wanted.
The East Anglian Railway Museum - While researching I found that the museum housed many old steam trains. This helped me decide the train I was gong to model.
The North Weald Air Museum - I had always wanted to model a Spitfire for this attractions so I researched the museum to see if they had a Spitfire. Luckily they did so I was able to model and animate one.
Adventure Island - For this attraction I knew I wanted to animate a thrill ride, more specifically a roller coaster. By researching Adventure Island I found the colour scheme of Rage, the roller coaster, was pink and yellow. It also indicated how the track was constructed in a triangular shape.
Colchester Castle - The research I did on the castle helped me find the design and colours of the castle. The research also helped me decide what angle of the castle I would model for. I decided to model the front and right side of the castle because I thought the heavily ruined wall was very interesting.
Signs - I researched all the logos of the different attractions to make the signs seem as realistic as possible.
Billboards - I used the Visit Essex website to get information on the number of country houses in Essex and the number of shops in Lakeside shopping centre.
Visit Essex Logo - I also used the Visit Essex website to get the Visit Essex logo.
Welcome Sign - I finally research a the Essex crest and used it to create a ‘Welcome to Essex’ sign.
Because I had planned to undertake such a large animation I had to make sure that all my preparation was completed before I started the modelling and animation process.
This mainly entailed me searching for appropriate high quality reference images to use for modelling.
Baker Rifle Reference Image
Train Reference Image
Elephant Reference Image
Spitfire Reference Image
Roller Coaster Reference Image
Colchester Castle Reference Image
Essex Reference Image
The Royal Gunpowder Mills - I found that there were demonstrations of 19th century weaponry. I particular Muskets and flintlock Rifles. This helped me decide that I was going to animate an 1806 Baker Rifle
Colchester Zoo - By researching the animals at Colchester Zoo I discovered that they have both Indian and African elephants. This means that I could model and animate any one I wanted.
The East Anglian Railway Museum - While researching I found that the museum housed many old steam trains. This helped me decide the train I was gong to model.
The North Weald Air Museum - I had always wanted to model a Spitfire for this attractions so I researched the museum to see if they had a Spitfire. Luckily they did so I was able to model and animate one.
Adventure Island - For this attraction I knew I wanted to animate a thrill ride, more specifically a roller coaster. By researching Adventure Island I found the colour scheme of Rage, the roller coaster, was pink and yellow. It also indicated how the track was constructed in a triangular shape.
Colchester Castle - The research I did on the castle helped me find the design and colours of the castle. The research also helped me decide what angle of the castle I would model for. I decided to model the front and right side of the castle because I thought the heavily ruined wall was very interesting.
Signs - I researched all the logos of the different attractions to make the signs seem as realistic as possible.
Billboards - I used the Visit Essex website to get information on the number of country houses in Essex and the number of shops in Lakeside shopping centre.
Visit Essex Logo - I also used the Visit Essex website to get the Visit Essex logo.
Welcome Sign - I finally research a the Essex crest and used it to create a ‘Welcome to Essex’ sign.
Because I had planned to undertake such a large animation I had to make sure that all my preparation was completed before I started the modelling and animation process.
This mainly entailed me searching for appropriate high quality reference images to use for modelling.
Baker Rifle Reference Image
Train Reference Image
Elephant Reference Image
Spitfire Reference Image
Roller Coaster Reference Image
Colchester Castle Reference Image
Essex Reference Image
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