WEEKS 1 to 2
Time Based Narrative Ideas
I had several ideas for this project. Each one was a little too complicated as I had to consider how easy it was to animate and if everyone in a group could effectively animate it as well.
I wanted to use this song 'Aruarian Dance' by Nujabes for my animation and with a really summery/autumn animation of a bird flying overhead. That was the general feel I got from this song, but I wasn't exactly sure where I was going with it so I decided against it.
I wanted to use this song 'Aruarian Dance' by Nujabes for my animation and with a really summery/autumn animation of a bird flying overhead. That was the general feel I got from this song, but I wasn't exactly sure where I was going with it so I decided against it.
I did consider the song 'To Zanarkand' by Nobuo Uematsu, but there wasn't much momentum and the changes in pace were very spread apart so it'd be hard to cut down the song. I had imagined a really sad a wistful animation. Maybe even quite abstract to go with it.
Most of us are new to animation, so based on some things our tutor showed us, I went for an idea that used very minimal shapes. I knew it had to be really simple because a previous group from last year made an animation about the life and death of dominoes, giving them human characteristics.
It was actually a really 'eureka' moment when I looked out the window and saw the moon and literally thought 'maybe I should do something with the moon as a character' and from then I realised that the planets were the perfect characters for a simple animation. It kind of all snowballed from there.
It was actually a really 'eureka' moment when I looked out the window and saw the moon and literally thought 'maybe I should do something with the moon as a character' and from then I realised that the planets were the perfect characters for a simple animation. It kind of all snowballed from there.
The Idea
My idea is about the planet Pluto and how he wants to become a planet again, so he needs to traverse the solar system to reach the Sun and ask permission for entry once again. Initially he is kicked out of the solar system by the Earth who is the villain in the animation, acting as a type of bully.
The idea is simple and has potential to be really fun. I plan to use the different planets as different characters and for Pluto to pass each one in order on his way to the sun.
We got into groups of who liked what idea and the following also joined my team for the animation 'Pluto': Matt, Will, Jenny, Aimee and Jen.
The idea is simple and has potential to be really fun. I plan to use the different planets as different characters and for Pluto to pass each one in order on his way to the sun.
We got into groups of who liked what idea and the following also joined my team for the animation 'Pluto': Matt, Will, Jenny, Aimee and Jen.
The Music
One of my group members suggested a song called Pink Batman. It was a really fun and quirky song with the right pace for the idea we worked with. The momentum and parts where the song picks up are really obvious and has a good pace for storytelling. It sound space-like and colourful which suits our idea with all the planets in the solar system really well. As soon as I heard the piece, it was just perfect.
It was only after when we had decided to use the song and planned it did he reveal that it was also the song to an animation called Crater Face which is set in space, much like ours. Watching it, the style is really sweet and almost child-like (but refined in that sense) that it made it very enjoyable to watch. The story is really weird, but it was pieced nicely together to make a tragic tale about moon craters and an astronaut.
Inspirational Imagery
Here is a mood board I did just to capture a few things on the internet that could inspire us in terms of visuals. Space is really colourful actually as I discovered through these images and more. There are a lot of bits of space that we don't think about, but make space really beautiful.
Below are some more images that inspired and gave us a starter point for the look of our piece. There are some nice artistic pieces by Rudeaux and some very expressive photographs and manipulations. The end photo looks really magical and beautiful, but mysterious at the same time. Although we aren't going for an ethereal space, we still want to capture a mood, whether it be a fun mood or a adrenaline filled mood.
1. http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2012/01/1c46fa7772e117dff39148011d0b7704.jpg
2. http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2012/01/e693191d1991ecc391291ee821107870.jpg
3. http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs39/f/2008/319/9/1/9196e582150dd3d580854f09fc201a57.jpg
4. http://th09.deviantart.net/fs71/200H/i/2012/319/9/3/the_moon__s_a_balloon__by_5inger-d5l2rla.jpg
5. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ej88l-F0YQ4/T0mgBo0bP5I/AAAAAAAADVg/TDFutxJN0ps/s1600/tumblr_lzz49oYjdG1ro9ncco1_400.jpg
6. http://www.desktopwallpaperhd.net/wallpapers/19/c/world-snow-wallpaper-fantasy-original-198124.jpg
2. http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2012/01/e693191d1991ecc391291ee821107870.jpg
3. http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs39/f/2008/319/9/1/9196e582150dd3d580854f09fc201a57.jpg
4. http://th09.deviantart.net/fs71/200H/i/2012/319/9/3/the_moon__s_a_balloon__by_5inger-d5l2rla.jpg
5. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ej88l-F0YQ4/T0mgBo0bP5I/AAAAAAAADVg/TDFutxJN0ps/s1600/tumblr_lzz49oYjdG1ro9ncco1_400.jpg
6. http://www.desktopwallpaperhd.net/wallpapers/19/c/world-snow-wallpaper-fantasy-original-198124.jpg
WALL-E
I also looked at Wall-E as that is an animation set in space. The idea of a small being going on a rather grand and epic adventure was reminiscent of our project with Pluto traversing the Solar System to get from one end to the other.
I think the opening scene for Wall-E is so visually stunning, and if I had the skills to make such a look for my animation, I would do so, however I can't... But the textures and just the feel of space in the opening few seconds when you see the planets is rather mesmerising.
Also, the Space Dance scene really captures the movement of a figure in space. Also, just the vast expansive space really highlights the smallness of the characters.
I hope for these two pieces to really help determine the look and feel of our piece, although I doubt we will go down the 3D route as we a re far too inexperienced to make any 3D look good enough for submission.
Also, the Space Dance scene really captures the movement of a figure in space. Also, just the vast expansive space really highlights the smallness of the characters.
I hope for these two pieces to really help determine the look and feel of our piece, although I doubt we will go down the 3D route as we a re far too inexperienced to make any 3D look good enough for submission.
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Making a Story
The hardest part was fleshing out a story. For a good few days we spent throwing ideas of what Pluto encountered on the way to speak to the Sun. We knew we wanted to have Pluto meet or at least come across all the planets, so we started to establish different scenarios.
Our biggest problem was the actual beginning and how to explain why Pluto was initially shunned. We had several ideas, but my original idea was that Earth simply barged Pluto out, with no proper explanation. We decided to change this because it didn't make too much sense.
The idea we decided in the end was a flashback scene of Earth spreading rumours like a schoolyard bully. Earth tells everyone that Pluto is too small to be a planet, or has a weird orbit and 9 makes an odd number etc. At first I didn't particularly like the idea, but everyone was really enthusiastic about it that I was won over.
Below is the plot-line we decided on in the end.
Our biggest problem was the actual beginning and how to explain why Pluto was initially shunned. We had several ideas, but my original idea was that Earth simply barged Pluto out, with no proper explanation. We decided to change this because it didn't make too much sense.
The idea we decided in the end was a flashback scene of Earth spreading rumours like a schoolyard bully. Earth tells everyone that Pluto is too small to be a planet, or has a weird orbit and 9 makes an odd number etc. At first I didn't particularly like the idea, but everyone was really enthusiastic about it that I was won over.
Below is the plot-line we decided on in the end.
The Plot
This is the actual plot summary that was made. One of our group members actually wrote it out after pitching in ideas as a group. This was the final plot outcome:
Est. Shot, Sun in foreground, planets all having fun
zoom in on Pluto who is sad and alone.
Flashback sequence:
Pluto and some other planets are having a jolly good time, speed pan to Earth and Moon. Earth shoots Pluto a glare then begins a nasty rumor that Pluto is too small to be a planet, and this spreads from one planet to another, illustrated with speed pans and visual speech bubbles, until it reaches Neptune who looks over at Pluto, who realises he has been outcast.
Flashback ends and Pluto in the present day resolves to stand up for himself, and begins his journey to the Sun to win back his planet status.
He speeds along past Neptune and Uranus, as Neptune berates Uranus for being downright silly, and the two of them glance at Pluto as he speeds past.
Saturn is explaining some philosophical thing or another to a bunch of eager-listening moons, and they all nod their heads along with him. Suddenly Pluto blasts through Saturn's rings, spreading ice everywhere and shocking Saturn and the listening moons.
Pluto reaches Jupiter and calls out to him. Jupiter slowly turns to face Pluto, and he is MASSIVE. He listens to Pluto's story and offers to help him before picking him up in his orbit and flinging him towards the centre of the solar system.
Pluto speeds towards his destination, whipping through the asteroid field and dodging flying rocks, pinging around and zipping out of the field. He zooms past Mars who shakes his moons at him like an angry pensioner.
Suddenly Pluto is stopped by Earth and the Moon, who call him names and fling rocks, satellites and tiny little atomic bombs at him, bullying him into turning back.
Pluto is sad as he turns to give up on his quest, when suddenly Venus appears, shoots the Earth an angry glare, and floats over to Pluto, picking him up and sending him back on his way.
Pluto is renewed by Venus' kindness and arrives at Mercury, to whom he explains his mission. Mercury is moved by this story and shouts up to the Sun, (Who can only communicate directly with Mercury). The Sun is not pleased with Earth's childlike behaviour, and speeds off to teach him a lesson.
The Sun appears close up behind the selfish Earth, who turns to face his angry father-figure. The Sun is enraged, blasting extra heat which causes a worried Earth's ice caps to melt as if he has wet himself.
Film ends with Pluto having a whale of a time with his planet buddies, and Earth sat off to the side (perhaps on a naughty stool?) jealous of all Pluto's popularity.
END
Est. Shot, Sun in foreground, planets all having fun
zoom in on Pluto who is sad and alone.
Flashback sequence:
Pluto and some other planets are having a jolly good time, speed pan to Earth and Moon. Earth shoots Pluto a glare then begins a nasty rumor that Pluto is too small to be a planet, and this spreads from one planet to another, illustrated with speed pans and visual speech bubbles, until it reaches Neptune who looks over at Pluto, who realises he has been outcast.
Flashback ends and Pluto in the present day resolves to stand up for himself, and begins his journey to the Sun to win back his planet status.
He speeds along past Neptune and Uranus, as Neptune berates Uranus for being downright silly, and the two of them glance at Pluto as he speeds past.
Saturn is explaining some philosophical thing or another to a bunch of eager-listening moons, and they all nod their heads along with him. Suddenly Pluto blasts through Saturn's rings, spreading ice everywhere and shocking Saturn and the listening moons.
Pluto reaches Jupiter and calls out to him. Jupiter slowly turns to face Pluto, and he is MASSIVE. He listens to Pluto's story and offers to help him before picking him up in his orbit and flinging him towards the centre of the solar system.
Pluto speeds towards his destination, whipping through the asteroid field and dodging flying rocks, pinging around and zipping out of the field. He zooms past Mars who shakes his moons at him like an angry pensioner.
Suddenly Pluto is stopped by Earth and the Moon, who call him names and fling rocks, satellites and tiny little atomic bombs at him, bullying him into turning back.
Pluto is sad as he turns to give up on his quest, when suddenly Venus appears, shoots the Earth an angry glare, and floats over to Pluto, picking him up and sending him back on his way.
Pluto is renewed by Venus' kindness and arrives at Mercury, to whom he explains his mission. Mercury is moved by this story and shouts up to the Sun, (Who can only communicate directly with Mercury). The Sun is not pleased with Earth's childlike behaviour, and speeds off to teach him a lesson.
The Sun appears close up behind the selfish Earth, who turns to face his angry father-figure. The Sun is enraged, blasting extra heat which causes a worried Earth's ice caps to melt as if he has wet himself.
Film ends with Pluto having a whale of a time with his planet buddies, and Earth sat off to the side (perhaps on a naughty stool?) jealous of all Pluto's popularity.
END