In Class Exercises due Week 12

Working against deadlines myself, we're almost at the end, guys :D Just a few weeks for all of us.

Just re-iterating that the In-class exercises are indeed due this coming week, just so that it's out of the way for you to be able to get a presentation done for week 13, and finalized files from Assessment 2 for week 14.
Try to get the exercises together as a PDF by Tuesday and uploaded to 'Learning @ GU', under the 'In-Class Exercises' tab on the Discussion board (already up if you go check the 2107GFS tab). Easy :D

Any scans and revisions are welcome, as I bet you've learnt some things since the first few weeks :) Otherwise, all good, PDF away. Any problems, such as a file being too big to upload, email me. I recommend if you have any issues like this, leave a message on the 'Learning @ GU' discussion forum, and email me the bigger file via www.yousendit.com

See you all Tuesday :D Info re: Week 13 and 14 in class.

LAST IN-CLASS EXERCISES TO DO: Updates for next week's Class- Wk 12

A couple of quick points before I post the Week 11 Tute clips and some assessment 2 info:

The week 10 lecture that Andi conducted on Layouts and Pre-Viz are in the 'Lecture notes' folder in th 'Course Content' tab at Learning @ GU. I recommend re-reading this in relation to making your layout shots for Assessment 2 (Visual Script development).

Also: for the In-Class Exericses: I want two extra things done, which should only take you 20-30 mins. (since we were unable to do this in class with numbers vs. computers available).

1: Go to the lecture notes for week 10 (Layout and Pre Viz). Andi suggested this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNMpa5yBf5o
Pick two shots from Toy Story 3 trailer and break them back down into the layers, levels, camera positions, timing and key pose set-ups.

Do this by making notes (just some dot points is fine), grabbing screen shots and creating a logical labeling code

2: The other one is, take the X-Men 2 sample script I gave out for the storyboarding exercise (if you don't have it, go to the "in Class Exercises' folder in the 'Course Content' tab, and go to 'Thumbnailing from a Script' section.

 I want a Mood board for the X-Men hallway/mansion scene sample- If "you" were the concept artist, how would that scene look? Grab images from the internet and make up a mood board as if you were then going to go off and create some concept art.

Getting clarification for the In-classes exercises, as the assessment sheet states this will due next week (week 12) in PDF format. Treat this as the due date until I can clarify.

There is a Guest Lecture on at 3pm at the Central Lecture theatre, by Professor INGO PETZKE https://learning.secure.griffith.edu.au/courses/1/2107GFS_3125_SB/content/_2420249_1/The%20Life%20and%20Works%20of%20Oskar%20Fischinger.pdf?bsession=99405869&bsession_str=session_id=99405869,user_id_pk1=56295,user_id_sos_id_pk2=1,one_time_token=

Info at Learning @GU. Lecture will be as normal at 1pm, which will give us 2 hours to play with. Email me with any questions.

For next week's class: Week 8, Tuesday 11th Sept.

Hi guys,
Just a quick touch base after yesterday, and to remind you to keep the ball rolling- I don't want anyone "drowning" in the next few weeks, so read below to make sure you're up to speed (especially the RED stuff).

I hope you all enjoyed our guest speaker Donald Walker (Disney, Animal Logic) , and seen the practical applications to what we've been learning in-class :D

You can check out his concept art and storyboarding examples here: http://donaldwalkeranimation.blogspot.com.au/

The cool thing is too, he touched on TVC storyboarding which will give us some time later in the coming weeks. Now Donald gave you a bit of a talking to regarding missing the Sunday talk; I just want to reiterate how hard it is to land a great role/experience outside of uni without having contacts/knowing what to do/knowing the faces of the people who can give you leads. This is something you guys will learn as you pursue a creative role/work experience. That saying "It's not what you know, but who you know" is 100% true. Anyways, more on that later :)

2 things: 1. I've noticed that my student email address for griffith has not been getting all the emails being sent to me. I know in the past, 1 or 2 of your queries haven't gotten through. So, don't think of me as ignoring your emails, feel free to get me through pmason83@gmail.com

2. Next week is week 8. There was no exercise yesterday because of the guest lectures, so in this instance I want to see EVERYONE's story idea for the final assessment. Email me if you want a sounding board. At this point, I'm going to suggest if you don't have a pre-existing script/story idea plotted out, then do a genre mash up, or possibly a public domain take on a character/story (original fairy tales are all public domain, a little research might score you a cool idea for a futuristic Grimm's story, or Aesop fable done like a western ....I'm just spit balling here, but you get the idea ;D

Actually, 3 things I've noticed. A couple of you have contacted me to say you've missed lectures (with reasons). That's ok, as long as you keep up. Head to Learning at @Griffith for the in-class exercise folders, the lectures are up too in PDF's, and read the blog archives with the clips/minor notes. I tend to talk more than the PDF slides suggest, so maybe a refresher in some points might be in the cards, perhaps I can talk things out to those who wish to listen during one of the upcoming tute sessions while the others are working.

Week 6 Exercise: These isn't one, but...

To allow you to play catch up, and because there weren't enough machines in the lab to go around, I want you all to get to the same point in regards to your inclass exercises thus far (i.e.: FINISHED), but also in regards to your progress on your final assessment.

That is: have your story at least "beat"ed out in points (1. this happens, 2. then this happens etc.) in a loose 3 act structure. Thouse that are working from pre-existing scripts, make sure they are 2-3 minutes. And in this case, start thumbnailing ;D

Use references for thumbnails/roughs for concept designs etc.

If you don't have a story yet, start brain storming NOW! You all should have an idea, like I hit you up for about a week or 2 ago, use vertical or lateral thinking to start jogging your brain into nutting out your character/s and their short 2-3 minute journey.

Like what you ultimately pick, as it is a bit of work to do, you want to enjoy designing, drawing, creating and telling the story, yes? Yes. Good. :D

So think:

> What Genre? Does it need one?
> Character/s?
> Setting/Era?
> What's it about?
 - Normality
 - Inciting incident
 - complication/s and escalation
 - low point, which leads to
 - Climax
 - Resolve: return to status quo or 'new world order'.
> What's the Style? How do you want it to look? 

(And start finding references, and arranging them into a files structure/matrix for YOUR benefit and assessment :D )

Have fun, and email me if you need assistance/sounding board :D

Assessments and Recap for those that missed it: 'Fill in The Gaps"

https://courseprofile.secure.griffith.edu.au/student_section_loader.php?section=5&profileId=68225

Find your assessments at the link above ;)

In Class Exercise 1 was the 'Fill in the Gaps', for those that missed it, very simple: You have this model sheet of my Koala character ('Baz'), and you have a 9 panel sequence, where the 2nd board is done, and the last board is "half done"- you need to include the Background/resolve/punchline to the short sequence. Try to stay to the 9 panels total if you can. When doing this, bear in mind the information given in that 2nd panel (but still open to a myriad of interpretations), and selecting appropriate shots, keeping in mind the 180 degree rule too.

And, to remind you, you need to get a solid idea for the final assessment task_ we'll talk more about this next week (taken from the link at the top):

Type: Assignment - Practice-based Assignment
Learning Objectives Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Due Date: 
         22 Oct 12     In class presentation, delivery Week 14
Weight: 50%
Task Description: 

Create a story for a predominantly animated short film, however this is not limited to cartoon style
character animation. The story should be around 3 minutes long.

Deliverables include:

visual development artwork (environments, character profile and design, preliminary sketches and reference image folio),

storyboard (including text/dialogue elements, sound design direction and general directors notes).

examples of moodboards of two sequences of varying tones

Full-colour Treatment image (style, genre, proposed visual treatment) - The "look" shot

3 or 4 correctly structured layout or pre-viz shots that concur with industry standards

An animatic is also required that indicates broad timing and pacing for the project.

Further details  and delivery instructions to be announced in class and with assignment handouts in week 2. The project is designed to develop a feasible script for possible production as a graduating project during the program. this is NOT intended to be the final idea that will be made, but a draft development exercise in realising the range of aspects that need to be determined to develop a good short project

NOTE: It is essential that this assignment be developed over the course of the semester, with demonstreted weekly updates on progress and creative development included in the deliverable. Each of the in-class exercises should be attempted alog the theme of this final projecct to develop the idea in many iterations.

Ok, that's all for this post ;)