Cocroach Matchmoving

This is an example of mathchmoving with cockroaches. This is a great reference point for me as I think that it has been very nicely executed. It's clean, crisp and does what it needs to do!

HALF WAY EVALUATION 2/3/11

I think now is probably about the right time to reflect on how the project is going so far. I want to make sure that I’m still on track and in doing this I’m going to try to gauge how I feel the project’s evolving. I’m going to break this down into a few separate aspects. 

MAJOR PROJECT

Primary Research:

Overall I think that I have a good balance of both primary and secondary research and without a doubt the research section of the project so far has been the most helpful and effective. After initially looking into the idea of objects and collections it led to working with a curator at Manchester museum. Over a series of visits so far I have been able to study and analyse insects within the museums archives and it has meant that I have been able to draw from observation and break particular insects down into detail. This has been particularly important for me because it has allowed me to investigate insects in a lot more detail, than I would be able to do otherwise. By seeing these up close and out of their cases and being able to photograph and draw them, it has meant that now at the beginning stages of production I feel that the project is more informed.

Secondary Research

I am rather happy with the breadth of sources that I have looked at, up to this stage. Looking at animators working with similar subject matters, ranging from Svankmajer, to modern animators such as PEZ. I have also looked into the use of objects within things such as TV adverts for cars and people who create art with objects.

An initial investigation into the use of objects within other peoples work has now moved into an investigation of my chosen subject matter, (insects and entomology). By having both a subject matter and looking into the use of objects, it has meant I have been able to look into a lot of other areas. For example, insects in general and the use of camouflage within nature. This has allowed for an exciting investigation, which has meant that I have been able to look at a wide array of sources, like David Attenborough’s Madagascar and other documentaries on insects and adaptation.

In terms of the trip to London next week I'm seeing this as a great opportunity to utilise galleries and museums in order to research more for my major. After looking into what is going on in London whilst we are there and recommendations from friends, there are a few exhibitions and galleries that are a must see whilst there. For example Gabriel Orozco exhibition that is on at the Tate Modern, in which he’s regarded for his “endless experimentation with found objects”.  I also plan on a visit to the ‘Natural History Museum’, which I hope will provide invaluable research for my project. Whilst looking forward to visiting studios and having my portfolio visit, I’m also looking forward to take advantage of being able to continue to develop my project whilst there.

Overall I feel that the project is going well and I think that I’m happy with the speed of how it’s evolving. The beginning of the project was quite a slow process in terms of research and making decisions, however I’m glad that I have gone through the process because I don’t think that I would be where I’m at now otherwise. In terms of my final piece it is developing nicely now and at the moment I’m considering narrative.

PDP

Portfolio Visits:

I have already had one portfolio visit and plan on making a return visit to at least one of the studios that I had visits with before Christmas. I have one lined up with an animation studio in London whilst we are down there. I found this company earlier this month and was particularly drawn to them with my major project in mind. A lot of their work involves character animation, something that interests me but not something that I wouldn’t want to primarily go into. However, which my major project in mind I feel that obviously I need to understand the principles of character animation, so that I can get the most out of the narrative that I create for my “insects/beetles”. Although I love London, my intention after graduating is to stay up North. With this in mind the main intention for me is that this portfolio visit in London is a great opportunity to get a little advice for my major project and whilst a great networking opportunity also a great chance to specifically talk about my major project.

Matthew Davies

Earlier this month Me and Ste had a portfolio visit, which went really well and was very productive. As well as having a great talk about our work and interests, he also gave us a contact to a company that he does freelance work for and suggested that we get in touch. We planned on meeting them whilst down in London, however the man from the company suggested that we meet up on Wed, however we are only staying until the Tues night. This is a great contact and something that we will definitely be following up.

I have planned to write the hope fears and opportunities report over the Easter break and intend for this to be finished by the time that we return, meaning that I have the final 3 weeks to finish the project. In terms of self promotion I have spent quite a lot of time working on my showreel, especially for this visit to London. I have also re-edited all of the pieces that I have on Vimeo, so that they all have brief descriptions at the beginning, briefly describing the project, its length and the key skills used.

Time Management

I have been using the diary on my mac throughout this project putting in deadlines set and all of my own personal deadlines. This has been invaluable for me, as it has meant that not only have I been able to plan things as I go along, but also see how I’m doing and track my process and consequently process.

Things I need to consider

Subject matter?

What do I want to get out of this piece?

Narrative?

Matchmoving Test

This is an initial matchmoving test that I created to see if I could get my own geometry to stick to the scene. I haven't got the bug to move in this particular scene as just wanted to see if I could get it to appear as it was within the scene, this is the next step.

New Showreel - 2011

Portfolio Visit: Matt Davies

Last week me and Steve had a portfolio visit with Matt at our flat in town. Just before Christmas we went to see Matt do some filming for a web advert, which was great to be able to see. At the time we had a good chat with Matt about the industry and our own stuff. He said that he would like to see some of our work so we decided to get in touch and organise a crit.

We had a good chat about the industry and some of the stuff that Matt had been involved with. He said he was currently working long hours at the BBC and him and a few people that he works with as a production team, had just won the contract for 10 music videos, for an well known artist, (however he couldn't tell us who!) Here is a link to his work, (Matt Site). I thought that it was great that he worked as freelance camera man, however also was able to mix between the roles of director and producer for projects such as creating music videos.

I decided to show him my Discovery Channel Ident, my 'What Not to Flush Brief' and my 'Morph London' animations. He said he was impressed with the work and really liked the 3D work.

We got onto talking about one of the companies that Matt freelances for and he said although he does the filming and editing for the projects that he works on,  they have someone else that does their animation for titles and any added extras. He gave us the details of the company and said that based on the work that he had seen, that he was more than confident that we could produce animations for them to the standard that they require. This was great to hear and a nice confidence boost. It's also interesting in terms of possibilities in getting some freelance work in the future.

Matt has been a great contact up until this point and I think that he could be a great contact for the future, especially considering looking future plans after graduating. It's good to start to see how its possible to start to utilise contacts. I look forward to hopefully doing some work with him in the future.

Manchester Museum

As part of the research for my Major Project I have been visiting Manchester Museum and working behind the scenes in the museum archives. With the help of curators at Manchester Museum I have been able to start to gather a large body of research for my project. Drawing from observation has really helped me start to understand body shapes, sizes, etc and how particular insects are made up.