Finished Animation.

Reflective Summary

Whilst on this animation module, I have learnt to create images and literally give life to them. There were many techniques already known to me whilst others I have not even heard of. So has been an interesting module.

With the final animation, I've decided to use hand drawn animation, one of the more time consuming processes and somehow made it more time consuming by painting each individual frame! I think with the planning, I may have jumped to final ideas a little too quickly without thinking things through. It didn't occur to me at the time about the timeline. In the end, the animation wasn't as smooth as I liked and some frames contains mistakes. However, overall, I think I've done quite well. The biggest problem faced in this module was consistency. It was difficult to keep the frames looking exactly the same especially with paint. Another difficulty was learning to use Final Cut Pro. Photoshop was already a bit of a challenge so using Final Cut was frustrating at times.

The biggest influence during this project was probably the Japanese styled paintings, I've learnt to illustrate in a new style. By studying the movements of the crane, I was able to emulate them. The main reason for painting as opposed to 3D modelling was because the origami crane is synonymous with Japan so I decided to keep the essence of it by painting in a rather Japanese style.

At some point, I'd like to continue with this animation as I feel I could go a little further with it and improve it. Maybe even give our cranes a happy ending.

So far...

So far, I have begun the final animation in the intended style but as I progressed I have decided to just do the rest in pencil. The final video will be this length. For the final animation, I will make the movements a lot smoother by adding more frames.

I'd like to use this sound track for my animation. As well as setting the tone (and me a Kill Bill fan,) This song would be fitting as it has the abience of loneliness which is one of the themes I'm trying to convey in this animation. A lonely only man creates a crane, crane flies away and finds a mate but 'dies' thus leaving the mate also lonely.

Design Ideas

Some Research

SUMI-E

I've been looking at Sumi-e paintings. The Japanese ink wash paintings and I like the idea of animating in this painted style. Note the simplicity of the paintings; how the brushstrokes forms the shape of the subject. I'll probably end up using black watercolour.

Japanese Cranes

In my idea for the animation, a crane will take flight. I know the basics of how a bird fly so I'll use that knowledge when animating. I'm also looking at their plumage and their movement.

Pretty, aren't they?

(I can't type in Japanese Kanji on here) But this is the character for Crane. I like the idea of this character painted as the intro to the animation. It's yet to be decided if it'll be stop motion with my hands shown painting it or not.

Initial idea

I quite like the idea of the origami crane taking to life and taking flight. This is a direct reference to the Japanese legend. My idea will probably be done on paper and animated on paper since I'm not very keen on 3D work. Possibly transform the origami crane into an actual crane as it takes flight. It'll be drawn in a Japanese style so I'll have to look into Japanese Paintings mainly the Sumi-e style which is ink and water brushwork.

My Object - The Origami Crane

This is my chosen object. Well.. one of them. I keep making new ones since I keep crushing or losing them.

Origami cranes

A model of a crane created by the art of Japanese paper folding. The practice originated from Japan around 1680. There was a legend surrounding origami. They say that the creator origami folded a paper dove, it took flight as it was so realistic.

The crane is a symbol of long life and health. A legend says that if one was to fold 1000 cranes, your wish shall be granted. After the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, one girl, affected by leukaemia as a result from radiation, who tried to stave off her death by folding 1000 cranes. Sadly she died after folding 644 so her friends completed 1000 and placed them on her grave. This story has been immortalised in popular culture and every 6th of August, the Japanese celebrate Annual Peace day by folding 1000 cranes and draping them on her statue on the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima.