[COP3] Evaluation

From the beginning of COP, i did not believe I could have finished the dissertation with good quality of research and evaluation since I was not really reading much for the past two years for COP. To be honest, it was very difficult to begin with. I found it difficult to find useful and specific information in a book but now I know that it is super easy and have alternative ways to look for informations such as books, online resources and google scholar helps me so much! This joinery has been so long, from starting the topic at body language to researching a lot in dancing, a lot of ideas to narrow it down to anthropomorphism. I learn how to organise my thought and time, and do not stuck in the same place when things are not going as well as I thought. If I did not change my topic, it is possible that I would finish my dissertation with a frown instead of a smile. The tutors helped me a lot to define a right topic for me, showing me the suitable books and keep up with my progress. My time management skill is still very good in my view. I determined to finish the dissertation and animation in Christmas which I did and have a week to wrap up everything. I think this is my strength and definitely essential to maintain for the next project and even when I got a job. The numbers of vocabulary obviously increase dramatically during these three months. Words like: authenticate, anthropomorphism, obstacle, comprehension, obligation etc.

Working on Anthropomorphism gives me a lot of new perspective of seeing an object character in animation. Before, I would just think that they could create empathy because they are animated, but actually their are more reason behind that and the mechanisms. By knowing so, I am able to approach to a character in psychological way, examine audience reactions instead of only focusing on the character because interaction with people is a big thing for objects. They could only exist as character when audiences allow them. In this case, showing familiar actions and spend enough time with them. The Practical also is a good chance of proofing my theory about the importance of movement in object character which I think it honestly compare two animation with a significant result and give an answer to the theory. I think the animation could be improved by having a more narrative script next time when it is not use as comparing. I like the moving character more because it is more energetic and actually does seem to have a life!

This project also provides me a valuable opportunity to talk to Mr. Paul Wells. I would never be brave enough to talk to a professional before this project and I really appreciate my initiative and pushing my own boundary when writing this dissertation, both in reaching out to people and reading difficult books. This is the most productive three months I have ever had! Although it was tough and have so many rough time, even want to give up, I learn more than I thought and finish a 9000 word dissertation!

[COP3] Music

I found my background music from a website. It is oddly perfectly for my animation where paces change during scene changes. I know that it would be better if I collaborate with other music students for a perfectly designed background music but I am out of time and music is the minor factor in this case. I also use other sound effects on youtube sound library where they have various useful soundtrack that I could use, no need to mention the creators. Eventually I decided to use the Cosmo sound track because I love the beginning of the track which fits perfectly with the zoom in space scene in the animation. I did not test for more so next time I need to give out more time to search or collaborate for better music choice.

[COP3]The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics (1965) Chuck Jones

Chuck Jones's The Dot and the Line is a good example to demonstrate my aim of the practical except the narration. The use of shapes and geometric are so clever that it would still work even without narration. The use of colour helps tell and story and Jones morph the shapes to make them into different things. I found that he like to make use of the proportion of the scene for example the line drops and making the scene have 2/3 blank space, introducing a sense of tightness and the weight of the line. I think the animation proofs that it still demanding audiences' imagination to make it success. If we have no experience of meeting someone or encounter similar situation, it is impossible for this animation to work. Also I think the message is different in every audience since there are no restricted appearance for the characters and also different shapes and image would have various impression on people. Therefore, I think in order to be able to generate empathy from every audience, it is important to keep the movement simple and distinguishable. Obviously narration helps a lot to help audience absorb the information and if I could make the animation again, I would try introduce narrative to it. What's more, Jones is good at using the property of the shape, stretching the line or shorten it, expending their functionality to extreme. There are so much we could play around with object in animation that could also able to create empathy from audience with movement.

[COP3]further development

Since last week Mike suggested me to change the spot light scene into two separate scenes to show how oxygen could be taken into the body through nose and mouth, I remake the scenes. Although the major difference are simply the movable/unmovable characters, I think the impact is big enough to change the perception of audience. 

less movement

more movement

The scene to show that all the air is sucked into the trachea and the moving oxygen particles seems very lively compare to the still motion. The movement gives them a sense of free will and showing a direction of where they are heading to instead of floating randomly. Since there are quite a lot of things I need to maintain the same in both animation just as to make it a fair test, I could not make the 'more animated' one have better narrative or have totally different performance therefore it looks a bit bland if watching two whole animation. However, it kind of proof that moving characters are much powerful to make audience feels that there is a personality in the object. By doing so, even without narrative or human character or dialogue, i can successfully create a influential object character.

less movement

more movement

Also with the aid from the surrounding, it makes things which no thoughts more performative and change the entire atmosphere even though the message and the plot is the same. What is needed to be improved is the amount of performance. Stepping out of being a fair test, the plots needs to be changed for the movable object because I think the non-narrative plot is unable to support the large amount of information hidden inside the character. It might be better if introducing more interesting scenes for example with different perspective or events so as to provide better stages for these moving characters to perform. On the other hand, it feels normal to put the less animated characters and the simple backgrounds together because there are less information around and audience might feel more comfortable to look at. Therefore I think once you decide to make a object move, it is necessary to have other moving backgrounds or characters together in order to make the story more it more fluid.

[COP3] 5/1/2017 final tutorial

I showed Mike the final animation and he was generally happy about that. He like the texture and the concept but not sure about a particular part of the animation which is the scene where the oxygen first went into the body. Mike pointed out that the spotlight was a bit point-less showing the moving teeth and tongue which are not really needed. So instead, he suggested me to make two cut shots to indicate how air could be taken in both through the nose and the mouth. I am willing to change to this idea but I also think my original idea was not too bad just simply because of the time I spent with this animation. There is always something others could see in my own work therefore I believe that it will provide a positive result and upgrade the animation. Other than that, I am very ahead of schedule and I have my two dissertation bounded on Friday already so as to a have range of time to do some correction if needed. For now, I just have to do some more blogs and redo that scene of animation, double check everything which should be alright for submission on Thursday!

[COP3] Finished Animation

Less Movement

More Movement

Rearrange scene

Final move movement animation

METHOD

Aim

It is said that movement is an essential element when anthropomorphising an inanimate object. The aim of this animation is to explore the use of movement in animation and to compare the result of two animation with different amount of animated component. I am hoping for distinguishable outcome that one of those two animation could assign more anthropomorphism and empathy from the audience without dialogue or text. I also want to investigate whether anthropomorphism could attribute personality or character to the object from the audience.

Target Audience

My target audience are general public from age five upwards. Normal people how are able to recognise emotion and feelings. Best to have basic knowledge about respiratory system(not compulsory)

Procedure

It is an animation about the respiratory system that do not include narrative or dialogue. Different texture are introduced into the animation by scanning and photoing in materials as well as editing in Photoshop and Aftereffect. The main characters are an oxygen molecule and carbon dioxide molecule which are designed with no face and humanised body hence no facial expression or gesture that audience could connect to directly. The story begins with a zoom-in scene that introduce the micro-particles in the atmosphere. Particles' movement  is caused naturally by the flow of air so as to clarify that no human emotion or feelings are attributed onto the characters though altering at the first place so it is believed that the moving oxygen and carbon dioxide could be gradually characterised by show sequence of dance and staying together to show a bonded relationship. Suddenly, the oxygen is sucked into a human body via inhalation and audience follow it into the body to begin the journey. In the less animated version, characters do not bend or stretch, just maintaining the same volume with a few rotation movement throughout the whole story whereas the characters in another more animated version could squash and stretch, moving their body to pull forward. The inner body parts are animated more vigorously and introducing the body as a character as well. Consequently, the oxygen is taken into the lungs, comprehends gas exchange, and would be consumed by the body. Its carbon dioxide friend waiting outside would never see it again and follows the air current to another place eventually.

Results and Evaluation

The comparison of the two version of animation proof the statement of the importance of movement in object character from Paul Wells and discover new ideas and knowledge throughout the production. First of all, there are significant difference between two animation and obviously are the amount of movement. The stiff characters could modestly narrate the story with aids from the background and camera angle for instance showing adventurous inside the mouth by a round torch layer and slow motion scene to emphasise the gas exchange moment. Comparing to the better animated character, the caricature object suggests a lot of feelings by the level of the movement and the familiar sequence of flapping wings. In the second animation, the whole body is animated so as to create an environment of liveliness and every part of the body seems involving in the story. It is suggested that inanimate character without human physical characteristics or any exaggerated performance is difficult to create empathy from audience on its own because the amount of information is hugely restricted by the faceless and non-humanised character design. A massive difference is demonstrated in the scene where oxygen starts becoming alone in both animation. Oxygen character that is animated less is dull and lifeless especially without the help of moving background whereas the same character in the other animation shows more energy and personality simply by providing a constant sequence of movement so it attracts audience’s attention despite of being alone. The more the connection made between audience, the better opportunity for the characters to be anthropomorphised. The aim of attempting audience to see the characters with feelings which is succeed. As the creator of this animation, even with the understanding of the purpose behind, it is irresistible to attribute character onto the oxygen and carbon dioxide which might argue that the ability of anthropomorphising is indeed an instinct of human and it is a gift to create. What is more, the use of material aids storytelling and building up a good character. Object character without the ability to express verbally or physically requires other ways to reveal their thoughts and personality to audience which could be using the suitable texture on the appearance. For examples, the oxygen has an airy texture of a watercolour painting that introduce a lively, light weighted and happy character compare to the solid, intense texture of fabric on carbon dioxide that create a less flexible body and personality to it.

[COP3] Academic Poster

I wish to put more visuals in the poster but I find explanation is more important. By studying templates from previous students, it is best to keep it simple and include every information that is essential to the project.

[COP3] Practical Production

Inside the lung

From my research, I knew that trachea has a lot little 'hands' to trap dust and other polluted particles call cilia, I animated those like Mexican wave just like how my biology teacher taught us during high school. I include this memory in the animation, hope to make it fun to watch.

 I think the sponge texture is perfect for the heart, it feel squidgy and bouncy like how heart performs. It would suit a solid texture. This let me know that the texture applied could alter the feelings of the object, how audience 'see' the texture allow them to connect with the character.

From the initial text, I already had this idea of using tree branches as the blood vessels and airway. This is the first thing in my head when I saw diagrams of lungs online and after a few editing in photoshop it becomes my thought on paper! I like the right lung more because the branches are more dense, more like what it looks like inside the lung but I do not want to flip it over to make identical lungs or it would look artificial.

bubble wrap as a zoom out version of the lung, makes it more airy and gives volume to them even in 2D. I do not think the bubbles are too big because it is suppose to exaggerate the inner parts. However I do think it needs another version with more details when zooming in.

Here are the completed and comparison between the animated and the less animated version.

I like the animated version more because the character looks more lively and with personality. Although the less animated version still artistic, it might raise less empathy from audience compare to the top one because the flying movement tells when it struggles or having resistance. I think it could be improved by making other body parts moves as well like the squashing lungs and stretching diaphragm. I would come back to it if I have time, for now I really hope to finish the whole two animation on time as well as the essay. The time is a bit tight but I think if I crack on it will be fine.

[COP3]More materials

 Blowing colour bubbles on normal paper, fail, nothing shown

Paper creases, although the result is good

 Blowing colour bubbles on water colour paper, success! Love the outcome and I am using this as the alveoli.

I really love using texture and it gives visually interesting result to the animation. Unlike the usual animation, texture enable feelings, as if audience could touch the characters. I have so much fun working on materials!

[COP3]Production time!

I tried using particle playground effect on the molecules so as to introduce an atmosphere stage. The random movement is difficult to get. I did a few tests on this scene including experimenting with colours and speed and gravity of the particles.

I do not like the blue background because it erase oxygen and the particles are not standing out. I like to change the background to a lighter colour .

I end up using orange because it makes the characters pop, also link the previous scene as well. I also blur the particle layer to focus on the main role, which fly across the screen with high speed. I do not know if another layer of particle is needed, I tried but the scene become too busy. However I still want more depth to it. Therefore I think blur solves this problem and I am happy with the result now.

[COP3]feedback from Mike on essay

We handed in our essay to Turnitin last week and got some feedback from Mike today. I have about 5000 words now which is alright and still have quite a lot to mention.

The general feedback of the essay is good. Mike said I got some good points but most of the chapters need illustration to support and also some spelling mistakes. Since the essay is still in progress, I want to add in pictures afterwards and focus mainly on typing from now. I noticed that i would take quite a while to finish the whole essay and also needed to be proof read by someone as well. Mike also said I need to continue linking my questions to the examples and have to start writing the practical as soon as possible. I think I am on schedule and very up to date. I nearly finish my animation so I would be able to start the practical chapter before Christmas break. What I need to improve is probably the speed of writing which could be done by organising the chapter before typing because I do babble a lot once started. Also remember to link back to the questions I stated which could be achieved by sticking a memo note on my laptop!

[COP3] Production

Once my idea was developed, I quickly did an animatic to calculate the time and number of scenes. I thought it was quite demanding and it ends up have more than 2 mins. Despite of the time, I really hope to finish the whole animation and make a more 'cartoon' version of it. It requires good time management and animating skills to finish two 2 minutes animation in a limited time. I had made a plan and should be alright if I follow through which enable me to take balance between practical and written work.

I started by creating all the components first in photoshop. This includes all the scanning and photo-taking. I am happy that most of the texture did not lost during scanning and could show complete different between different materials.

watercolour, hue edited in photoshop

felt

buttons

Sea salt on black paper, edited in photoshop

sponge fibre

photoshop drawing

sky from real photos I took when I went to Lake district

From the light projection project we did in PPP, I learnt from James about making sphere. It is very visually interesting approach to make 3D in aftereffect. It allows layering textures on top, rotating in different speed. I did a few tests and came out with a satisfying result.

I also did a test on how I want two molecules meet. I know I would like slow motion to exaggerate the scene but not sure about the composition and background yet. By doing so, audience could have more time to look at the design and sensing the importance of the scene. Hope this camera shot could raise empathy from them.

[COP3]Character design

Mike suggested me to reconsider about the character design because it should be created based on fact instead of any shapes that just look good. Therefore I had some scientific facts about molecules from my pharmacist friend, produced other character designs according to that.

Initial Sketches

Knowing the bond angle of the molecules, it is better to include them in the design. I do not expect audience would understand the design at the first place but it would be quite surprising if they found of that the design is relatable. CO2 is one big carbon and two oxygen so I am creating an oxygen that would appeal on its own also when bonded with carbon.

Colours

It gives me a feeling that oxygen should be blue because of the lightness?(although molecules are all super light). There is no sign that these molecules originally have colours so I decide to use blue to contrast the inner body also would stands out from other organic colours. I use orange for carbon, a more solid colour but not as intense as red, giving it a grounded personality and it would be moving less airy than oxygen. In order to make two molecules more recognisable, I darken CO2's colour to give an impression that it is a greenhouse gas. Being a waste product does not feel good I suppose so a darker colour also allow more story in the character design.

I want to introduce as much texture as possible. However I found difficult finding airy texture and a molecule-like texture... Instead of just randomly arrange the texture, i did my best collecting various material. I absolutely enjoy layering the textures on the shapes, testing out different effects in photoshop makes textures pop out so as to become a very unique design. 

Oxygen:Canvas texture

Co2: fabric print and sponge fibre

Nitrogen: Sponge fibre and butter in the middle

Neon: Aubergine skin

I did not like the canvas texture on oxygen because it makes it very plain and solid. I hope to show light weight and airiness of this molecule. I do not like the fibre texture(from a sponge) on Co2 on top right and nitrogen on bottom left neither. The material make them stiff and dull. The different in colour should be enough for recognising the character so I could light up the colour a bit in order to soften out the look. I like neon on bottom right and i use neon colour as well so I am keeping this design.

Oxygen: Watercolour paper

Carbon dioxide: Kitchen roll and fabric print

Nitrogen: Knit and butter in the middle

Neon: Aubergine

This is the final design design that I am happy with. I scanned in a watercolour paper for oxygen on top left. It gives it a airy/ smoky appearance that match the floaty oxygen impression. Carbon dioxide's oxygen is replaced by tissue paper. Visually looking light weight but the darker colour tone down it a bit but the same tone of colour should inform audience that they are same material in different stage. Knittings in Nitrogen gives a strong bond appearance to it. Keeping Neon the same. I test it on pinkish red background to see whether they pop inside the body. I am very happy with the design and will soon start the production.

Meet The Puppet Masters: Masterclass Talks 5/11/2016

Brian Cosgrove, Barry Purves, Merlin Crossignham and Shaune Harrison

I went to the 'Meet the Puppet Master' masterclass, hoping to get some useful information towards anthropomorphism in animation. Traditional puppets are still objects without replaceable faces or body parts, puppeteer manipulate them in order to show different emotion and feelings through various poses and body language. During the day, there were four different professional puppeteer talking about their career and mostly introducing puppetry. Some were not very useful to my research but one puppeteer had given me a vital message about anthropomorphism in object. Mr Barry Purves talked about his journey with puppet and he mentioned about the use of puppet. He claimed that puppet is a mask, audience could not see the puppeteers behind so it is physically hiding the artists. However, it is actually revealing, puppet reveals more than covering. Purves said having a media allow more sincere expression, for example people tend to type more aggressive things on internet instead of talking face to face because the social network act as a mask, hiding their identity but allows them to reveal their true feelings more comfortable. It is true that every move of the puppet is a thought of the artist. Many use of object in live action film is to let it 'speak' for the actor interacting with it for example in Castaway, wilson the volleyball is symbolising the loneliness and the urge for company of Tom Hanks; the talking parrot umbrella speaks Mary Poppins' mind and many more. Even though some of them are not animated, they still about to create empathy from audience because of the connection between different characters and the needs of it. When emotion is projected onto the object, it is difficult to not feel for it, when there is a story behind, it is unable to forgot. 

Research boards

[COP3] Practical research:asking my friend

So I immediately think of my friend who has a degree on pharmacy. After looking at the illustrations online of oxygen and CO2, I wonder if the bond angle has an effect on the molecules and should I draw them according to that so I asked an expert on this topic. 

drew me picture explaining!

So Chloe asked her friends as well and know that the bond angle does not have an effect on the molecule itself unless it synthesis with other atoms or molecule. In this case, oxygen and CO2 do not react or interact, simply diffusion through the alveoli so they  should remain their natural stage: O2 has bond angle in 107 degrees and carbon dioxide in 180 degrees. This definitely allows me to create a more reliable character and I should reconsider how to draw them as well. Also thinking about how Mike said yesterday about how we perceive the impression of these molecules,  like Carbon dioxide is the bad guy and oxygen is the good guy, it might be better to use the shapes to respond to this idea. I made the Carbon dioxide round at first which make it more like a nice character whereas triangle shapes for oxygen, scientifically it is impossible to have a triangular oxygen but still I am not planning to stick to the traditional way of drawing these substances so it needs more experiments on that.

[COP3] Practical Research on BIOLOGY!

One of the main reason why I am doing respiratory system is that I love biology. I hope I could do something I really like! 

All the memories flush back to my brain when doing research on this topic, I simply could not stop researching, it is so fascinating!

So first of all I decide to look at how public picture these molecules and most of them are just orb shapes, suppose that represents the full-filled atom ring and it is a strong bond in bond CO2 and O2 but O2 is even stronger.

Atoms showing how carbon and oxygen is bonded together. There are different ways to draw them out...what are the difference?

circles, dots and empty space

molecule model

bond using rings, carbon and oxygen in the same size

moving constantly?

Star war princess looking CO2?

Also I did my oxygen wrong in the first concept art, oxygen does not exist as individual atoms. So I should draw a compound!

There are many more different molecules in air, considering the ratio, I need to create a look for nitrogen and mixing different bits and pieces for other substances. 

 The research tell me that the alveoli is wrapped by many capillaries and remain me of the names of different parts involving in the respiratory system. However I am not planning to include all those difficult names in the animation. I may go for the GCSE levels and might just label a few important organs during the animation but still not sure if it will work? making an documentary animation? or go for the more narrative way to tell the story?

main organs

Also remains me of the gas exchanges between alveoli and capillaries. It is the red blood cells that carry the CO2 and oxygen so it takes a great part in the animation as well. I need to think of a creative way to tell all these information, not to make it too academic and scientific. Annabeth suggested me to make every organ a character, it would be really challenging since there are so many main component of the system. It needs to be selected carefully and designed as well.