Final Film

I wish I had given myself more time to polish the animation. The beginning is still quite floaty and abrupt in places.

However I think that I managed to make my scene clear. The people I showed my final animation to all understood what was happening. I really enjoyed playing with, and contrasting different mannerisms and postures.

I was warned at the beginning not to try and fit too much into my scene, and so I was careful to plan with my references and blocking and make sure that it all fit within 30 seconds. However if I could do it again I would choose a much shorter sequence and make sure I left ample space for reactions and thinking time. 

Life Drawings and sketches

Animation Development

Once I had my scene blocked out I showed it to as many people as possible in order to make sure that it was clear what was happening, as well as get other feedback. I only told them that it was a mime scene, not what he was supposed to be doing. and asked them to tell me what they thought was happening. Everyone seemed to follow the shooting and getting shot parts, however some people didn't understand that it was a tiara he picks up.  

In order to make it more clear I will show him running his hands over the object so that you can see its round, and I will change the grip so that he lifts it from underneath. I could also show him blinking exaggeratedly to show how sparkly it is.  

I also thought that it might be the abrupt change from reacting to the music stopping, to taking on a new persona that was difficult for people to follow. So I was thinking of showing him tapping the stereo, before giving up and being a princess instead. However I am already a little over the allotted time for the scene, so I would have to try and cut it down before adding more in.  

Digital Tutors tutorial

http://www.digitaltutors.com/tutorial/1012-Animation-Polishing-Techniques-in-Maya#play-23700

I remembered this Digital tutors animation tutorial which depicts a werewolf getting shot and flying through the air. I watched it again before blocking my mime pretending to be shot. The tutorial talks mostly about getting strong poses and good arcs, but also has some tips on moving holds and getting the impact looking right, which I found useful.

First critique session

In our first critique session, I showed the blocking I had done so far. I was advised to set the scene a little at the beginning by showing the Mime getting ready to practice. In order to make room for this in the allotted time I have, I had to cut out some of the "overacting" I was going to have him do as he pretended to be shot.

Setting up The Scene

Initially I was going to have the mime using various imaginary props, but having them visible in the mirror. However I felt that it would be "cheating" in a way, and that I would probably learn more from trying to have the viewers interpreted what he was doing trough a true mime. However will still use rudimentary shapes as proxy's so that i could keep track of where he is  shooting, and so that his hands will remain constant around the shape of the tiara when he picks it up.  

I have kept the set deliberately simple in order to avoid distraction, but did add in some speakers so that it would be clear to the viewer, that the music is part of his performance, and it isn't simply atmospheric.
(Speakers a free download from http://tf3dm.com/3d-model/stereo-speakers-v10-13099.html)

I also quickly put together a Mime make-up texture 

Initial ideas, Planning, Character Bios

Mime Scene Initial ideas and Planning 

I considered several ideas for this scene. Firstly, I was thinking of having the mime acting out a scene in which he is pushing his umbrella against very strong winds. Whilst this would have been a good exercise in showing weight, I wanted a shot with more "acting" than "action".  

Next I toyed with the idea of showing a Mime coming backstage after their performance and shedding their persona. I liked this idea of slipping out of character, but felt that the scene lacked energy and purpose as the character simply relaxed after a performance.  

In the end I took the idea of showing dual personas and chose to set my scene around a mime searching for inspiration. I would like to show him picking up various props and slipping into corresponding characters. For example acting like and old man, when he puts on some glasses, and then a soldier or fashionista.   

I decided on this scene because it had so many possibility's in terms of characters and props. I also really like the idea of exploring the different body language and mannerisms that make people unique, within the same character.    

I have organized some of my character ideas into a list. As I want them to contrast each other, I have placed the ones that are too similar together, and will only pick one of that group to use in the final animation.  

Princess/Diva/ Fashionista/Film Star 

Soldier/ Policeman 

Sophisticated/snooty Gentleman 

Grumpy Old man 

Cowboy/ Pirate 

Gangster/ 50s "cool guy" 

Boxer  

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Mime Character Summary- 

A 22 year old acting student 

Is looking for inspiration for a mime act he has been given at university.   

In the prop cupboard at drama school/ his parents attic 

energetic, happy, childish, stubborn, a little spoilt. 

center of gravity high in chest 
right handed

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Although it's usually a good idea to avoid cilices, want my mime to be very clear to the viewer. Therefore each character that the Mime becomes whilst using the props will be very stereotypical.  

Now that I have narrowed down what characters he  will be, I have made some mini-bios for each of them as well.  

cowboy- 

young, trying to prove he is tough and manly  

practicing drawing his weapon 

center of gravity in hips 

mid to slow body tempo 

Princess- 

Center of gravity center of chest

impeccable posture 

dainty mannerisms 

vain, acts extra coy and girly for attention. 

At the end of the scene i would like it 

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I have allot of ideas and only 30 seconds for my scene, so I will have to narrow down what I want to use after shooting my reference footage.