As for the rest of the animation I was just thinking of using simple sound FX. I want to keep them simple but recognisable for what they are.
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Story Ideas: Music and Sound FX
I'm not quite sure what I want to do for this but for some reason every time I think of the teapot jumping the Indiana Jones theme starts blasting inside my head. Again I'm not sure not sure this would work well, perhaps there is another theme that might be more suiting for this.
Story Ideas: Round 3
Making some more tweaks to the story...
The teapot is sitting on a shelf on a crockery cabinet, bored from months of inactive use. It is covered in a light layer of dust and covered in scratches and fractures. The teapot lets out a sigh. Moments later a commotion begins in the same room as the teapot. Plates, cups and bowls on the shelves around the teapot are quickly whisked away, leaving the teapot sitting alone. Wondering where everything has gone and interested to see what all the fuss is about, the teapot looks up to find a multitude of cakes and fancy treats laid out on a decorated table opposite it. Looking around the teapot notices a box of teabags amongst the lay out. Making the connection between the decorations and foods, the teapot realises that a tea party is soon to take place. The teapot decides to it wants in on the action and blows the layer of dust from itself.
Limping toward the edge of his shelf, the teapot jumps down onto the cabinet surface below, adding a small fracture to its base. To its dismay however it can go no further because of the distance between the cabinet and the table. The teapot is determined however, and assesses the situation. Looking around it finds nothing of use and comes to the realisation that jumping is the only way to progress. The teapot limps a few steps back and tries to jump with a running start.
As the teapot gets in the air, it feels like it might actually make it. Soon enough though, it notices it hasn't travelled very far, only being no more than a foot from the cabinet. Due to its wound induced limp, the teapot couldn't run particularly fast to cover the distance and thus falls, smashing on the floor. Several months later the teapot is sat back on its shelf, having been crudely glued together and covered in dust again. The teapot tries to clear off the dust and in the process the lids handle snaps off. The teapot sighs and the scene fades.
Getting better but I think the ending is a little weak. Help and advice would be appreciated for the ending though!
The teapot is sitting on a shelf on a crockery cabinet, bored from months of inactive use. It is covered in a light layer of dust and covered in scratches and fractures. The teapot lets out a sigh. Moments later a commotion begins in the same room as the teapot. Plates, cups and bowls on the shelves around the teapot are quickly whisked away, leaving the teapot sitting alone. Wondering where everything has gone and interested to see what all the fuss is about, the teapot looks up to find a multitude of cakes and fancy treats laid out on a decorated table opposite it. Looking around the teapot notices a box of teabags amongst the lay out. Making the connection between the decorations and foods, the teapot realises that a tea party is soon to take place. The teapot decides to it wants in on the action and blows the layer of dust from itself.
Limping toward the edge of his shelf, the teapot jumps down onto the cabinet surface below, adding a small fracture to its base. To its dismay however it can go no further because of the distance between the cabinet and the table. The teapot is determined however, and assesses the situation. Looking around it finds nothing of use and comes to the realisation that jumping is the only way to progress. The teapot limps a few steps back and tries to jump with a running start.
As the teapot gets in the air, it feels like it might actually make it. Soon enough though, it notices it hasn't travelled very far, only being no more than a foot from the cabinet. Due to its wound induced limp, the teapot couldn't run particularly fast to cover the distance and thus falls, smashing on the floor. Several months later the teapot is sat back on its shelf, having been crudely glued together and covered in dust again. The teapot tries to clear off the dust and in the process the lids handle snaps off. The teapot sighs and the scene fades.
Getting better but I think the ending is a little weak. Help and advice would be appreciated for the ending though!
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Story Ideas: Round 2
Having a second crack at creating a story for 'The Wounded Teapot'...
The teapot is sitting on a shelf on a crockery cabinet, bored from months of inactive use. It is covered in a light layer of dust and covered in scratches and fractures. The teapot lets out a sigh. Moments later a commotion begins in the same room as the teapot. Interested to see what all the fuss is about, the teapot looks up to find a multitude of cakes and fancy treats laid out on the table opposite it, surrounded by decorations. Realising that a social gathering is soon to take place the teapot decides to he wants to be involved. Limping toward the edge of his shelf, the teapot jumps down onto the cabinet surface below. To its dismay however it can go no further because of the distance between the cabinet and the table. The teapot is determined however, and assess the situation. Coming to the realisation that jumping is the only way to progress, the teapot limps a few steps back and tries to jump with a running start. As the teapot gets closer to the table, it begins to lose height, falling only inches from the tables edge. The teapot smashes on the floor. Several months later the teapot is sat back on its shelf, having been crudely glued together and covered in dust again. The teapot tries to clear off the dust and in the process the lid handle snaps off. The teapot sighs and the scene fades.
Feeling happier about this version! Still trying to keep it simple because simple is good (sometimes). Still feel it needs a few tweaks though.
The teapot is sitting on a shelf on a crockery cabinet, bored from months of inactive use. It is covered in a light layer of dust and covered in scratches and fractures. The teapot lets out a sigh. Moments later a commotion begins in the same room as the teapot. Interested to see what all the fuss is about, the teapot looks up to find a multitude of cakes and fancy treats laid out on the table opposite it, surrounded by decorations. Realising that a social gathering is soon to take place the teapot decides to he wants to be involved. Limping toward the edge of his shelf, the teapot jumps down onto the cabinet surface below. To its dismay however it can go no further because of the distance between the cabinet and the table. The teapot is determined however, and assess the situation. Coming to the realisation that jumping is the only way to progress, the teapot limps a few steps back and tries to jump with a running start. As the teapot gets closer to the table, it begins to lose height, falling only inches from the tables edge. The teapot smashes on the floor. Several months later the teapot is sat back on its shelf, having been crudely glued together and covered in dust again. The teapot tries to clear off the dust and in the process the lid handle snaps off. The teapot sighs and the scene fades.
Feeling happier about this version! Still trying to keep it simple because simple is good (sometimes). Still feel it needs a few tweaks though.
Thursday, 10 March 2011
Story Ideas For 'The Wounded Teapot'
The first ideas for my story...
- The teapot is sitting lonely on a shelf. It hears a commotion and looks up to see another teapot sitting on the table opposite it. It decides to try and get to it but the gap between itself and the table becomes an obstacle. The teapot assess the situation, but realises the only effective way the cross the gap is to jump. With a running start the teapot jumps from its shelf. It successfully makes the jump but as it approaches the other teapot it finds it won't move or interact. Coming to the realisation the other teapot is not living like itself, the teapot becomes upset. (Emotional Wound)
-An alternative is that the secondary teapot is living but rejects the primary teapot. (Emotional Wound)
- Another alternative ending is the teapot failing to reach the table, falling and breaking on the floor, resulting in its disposal. (Physical Wound)
The problem I keep finding with this story is that it is not exploring a practical goal for a teapot, rather it is going off into a crockery based love story. I feel it should be exploring its designed function which is to hold and pour tea, or at least have the teapot aim to do so. Perhaps the teapot could have a goal of being involved in an event that it believes its services are required such as a social event or party
It's also not exploring the 'wounded' nature particularly well. Having an emotionally wounded teapot at the end of the story just doesn't feel like a strong ending. Perhaps it should be 'wounded' from the start and become more so as the story continues.
Just a few ideas to consider...
- The teapot is sitting lonely on a shelf. It hears a commotion and looks up to see another teapot sitting on the table opposite it. It decides to try and get to it but the gap between itself and the table becomes an obstacle. The teapot assess the situation, but realises the only effective way the cross the gap is to jump. With a running start the teapot jumps from its shelf. It successfully makes the jump but as it approaches the other teapot it finds it won't move or interact. Coming to the realisation the other teapot is not living like itself, the teapot becomes upset. (Emotional Wound)
-An alternative is that the secondary teapot is living but rejects the primary teapot. (Emotional Wound)
- Another alternative ending is the teapot failing to reach the table, falling and breaking on the floor, resulting in its disposal. (Physical Wound)
The problem I keep finding with this story is that it is not exploring a practical goal for a teapot, rather it is going off into a crockery based love story. I feel it should be exploring its designed function which is to hold and pour tea, or at least have the teapot aim to do so. Perhaps the teapot could have a goal of being involved in an event that it believes its services are required such as a social event or party
It's also not exploring the 'wounded' nature particularly well. Having an emotionally wounded teapot at the end of the story just doesn't feel like a strong ending. Perhaps it should be 'wounded' from the start and become more so as the story continues.
Just a few ideas to consider...
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Research: 'Wounded'
So before I start developing story ideas I just wanted to explore the definition of my characters characteristic, that being 'wounded'.
wound
–noun
wound
–noun
1.
an injury, usually involving division of tissue or rupture of the integument or mucous membrane, due to external violence or some mechanical agency rather than disease.
2.
a similar injury to the tissue of a plant.
3.
an injury or hurt to feelings, sensibilities, reputation, etc.
(From http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wound)
So to sum up, the word 'wounded' can be applied in 2 key ways:
- First is the breaking or penetrating of the tissue (or in the teapots case, its exterior) which can be seen as Physically Wounded
- Or, to insult, be unfair or cruel, causing harm to feelings, etc. which can be seen as Emotionally Wounded
Monday, 7 March 2011
Unit 5: 2D Animation
Ah Unit 5, looking forward to this one. Back to the 'project lottery' again today, this time for a character and characteristic. I was fortunate to pick...
...a Teapot and 'Wounded'...
...thus creating the title for my story as The Wounded Teapot!
Friday, 4 March 2011
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Final Animatic: Just His Luck
Long awaited but finally done! And to top it off I'm pretty happy with it :D