Last week's entries/Fixed the blog

Here are the things that i failed to post last week because of technical errors:

This is the puppet i plan on using for shot 19 and 20. I animate his face on flash.

These are keys to the transformation scene, or shot 29.

Journal question (Feb. 12, 2013): 

1) How do you hope/want the audience to react/respond to your piece?
2) How do you want the audience to feel about your characters? What kind of connection do you want them to feel to your characters?
3) What sort of audience reaction/response would leave you disappointed? What would be the best response? Imagine a critical review of your piece that would make you feel that your piece was understood, and that it was recognized as being a great piece, a festival winner-what would the review say?

1. The way i want my audience to react is with serious blank faces. My piece is somewhat a serious one and is meant to just tell a story and entertain. It’s not supposed to have a deep meaning to it but Im sure someone will find one. I’d like for them to think a little about it then nod their heads.
2. I would like my audience have their own opinions about my characters. I feel like Huntress had what was coming to her, personally. She blindly went head on against Creature without thinking twice about it. And she paid for it. If there is an connection with the audience and my character Huntress, I think they would feel that they have been there before, meaning that they have made a mistake and paid for it before just not as costly as Huntress.
3. Im pretty sure the worst reaction would be either laughter, complete silence, or booing. The best response for me would be an “ooooooh!” followed by the room being filled with the sound of flesh being smacked together...as in clapping. If my piece was award winning I think the review would go something like this:

“Alexandra Varga’s animation piece (enter title here) had the story telling that rivals Steven King. The look of her animation is almost surreal and BLUE. The animation could have used some work but over all there is not one beat that was missed. It was a truly beautiful and entertaining animation meant for entertainment sake. Its about time someone got it right.”

Journal: Feb. 5, 2013

Q: What is your relationship to the main character? What experience of yours inspired you to create him/her/it?

A: The Huntress and I are two very different people. Although we both like the outdoors, meat, and sharp pointy objects I believe we think very differently. Sure id go hunting anytime! But id feel bad about it afterwards or not even hit the deer at all! When encountered by the creature id probably run up to it, point at it and say "Coooool!" and have my face eaten of. I guess my recent collecting of swords and purchasing books about sharp pointy weapons this past year has had an effect on this project. I'll never draw weapons the same again. Also I've been completing my Miyazaki film collection and watching them all.

This week's progress

not exactly done but its late and I'm tired. it wont take me long to finish this tomorrow. i think ill add some leaves too

im quite proud of these actually. the two title sequences and the first scene. thank yoooou chris for teaching us about the puppet tool im going to use it constantly now. there is no music or sound effects yet i figured id do that in the final weeks to come. there is another video on the way its just taking forever to download. [EDIT: video posted]

deer run cycle final rough

final rough animation of the deer running away. it was challenging but fun! next is the huntress running...

Journal: Jan. 29, 2013

Question: "What did your calendar say would be done today at 9 am? Is it done? How did you arrive at this 'result'? What is the plan for next week, based on what transpired this week?"

I actually did not do what I wanted fully this week BUT I am satisfied at what I have accomplished so far. I knew deer anatomy was going to be tough and it took me a few tries to get the run to look believable. I mean its not perfect yet but Im proud of the result. This shot is supposed to have my protagonist running after the deer but I will add her in today after I put a few in-betweens in the deer run. The next thing I want to work on is a scene with the "creature" but I do not know which yet. Im also thinking of doing the non existent transformation scene too just because it will take some time and i want it out of the way. This is another new and challenging thing for me and I cant wait to dive into it.

Inspiration for the film

I have always liked Miyazaki films. The one that inspired me for my film was Princess Mononoke.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayao_Miyazaki

I was messing around on this website and I saw the concept art for bambi. I decided to put a deer in my animation because I need more practice with animals anyway. Deer anatomy is prety hard but im getting there.
http://livlily.blogspot.com/2010/10/bambi-1942.html

I cannot pretend that the Hunger Games somewhat inspired me. I hate hate hate the movie but I liked the idea of a girl and her bow. The movie came out around the time we had to come up with ideas for our junior piece and it just kind of happened.
http://koreatowndaily.com/photos/news/d201203/23/20120323161728.jpg

deer eye

just a quick animation of the deer's eye revealing the "creature's" symbol. its eyes ail glow purple when its revealed.