WEEK 10
In week 10, I will create animatics to get a clear sense of the pacing, sound, transitions, and overall flow of my animation. This will help me visualise how the story comes together before moving on to full animation. By developing the animatics, I aim to identify any areas that need improvement and gather feedback early on to refine the narrative and ensure a smoother execution process.
Animatics #1
Based on my storyboard and the sound effects I collected, I began creating my animatics. I chose to use Premiere Pro, as I feel more comfortable with its interface, which allows me to work more efficiently.
In the animatics, I applied scale and position adjustments to enhance the visual appeal of the motion graphic. This approach helps create a more dynamic experience for the audience, emphasizing key moments and transitions. By combining these elements, I aim to bring my vision to life while ensuring that the animations align well with the accompanying sound effects for a cohesive final product.
storyboard #2
animatics
Production
For this week's production, I learned about masking, exporting, and camera angles in After Effects. At first, it was a bit confusing, but I gradually understood the concepts through various exercises.
I learned how to use masking to create explosions from blobs and how to transform blobs into more rigid shapes. Additionally, I explored camera angles by zooming into the blobs, making the visuals more engaging.
This finding is important because mastering these techniques enhances my animation skills, allowing for more dynamic and impactful storytelling. Incorporating these elements is essential for my work, as they will elevate the quality of my motion graphic projects.
masking
bouncing ball
camera
blobs with depth
explosion
morphing
Feedback
I realised that having too much text can confuse viewers about the title and content and also there's time limitation, so not all the text can fit. I want to treat "breathe" similarly to mindfulness, so I plan to create a pulsing animation for that concept. I need to zoom in even more for the POV eye of the character to emphasise it. I also need to focus on the sound context, as the current audio feels too random. Establishing a clear intro and focal point is essential, and I must emphasise it so viewers understand the message. The camera angles are too flat, so I’ll explore various angles and movements. Enhancing the story arc will help the audience grasp the meaning, making the experience more rewarding and impactful.
Storyboard #3
I decided to change my title to “pause to breathe.” To enhance my storyboard, I refined it by adding an intro and a climax.
On the intro, I used clear geometric shapes at the beginning, symbolising clarity things, which eventually become one and transformed into an abstract form to represent overwhelm. I also chose an intro that resonates with my target audience, Gen Z, particularly those still in school, by addressing their current concerns.
Additionally, I incorporated a low-angle shot during the climax to create a sense of tension, emphasising the character's struggle. This angle helps convey the intensity of the moment, making the transformation more impactful.
By integrating these elements, I aim to create a more engaging narrative that visually represents the journey from clarity to chaos, enhancing the overall emotional experience for the audience.
before
after
Animatics #2
Previously, my animatics is too random, doesn't have context, and the camera angle is not various.
I refined my animatics to enhance clarity and impact. I improved the intro to better represent the transformation of blobs, showing the context. I incorporated unique camera angles, especially during the climax when the blobs become rigid. Additionally, I focused on sound intention to complement the visuals. The focal point is now clearer, highlighting the abstract shapes as they transform into rigid forms, ensuring they are front in the animation.
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Also, I use these sound effect for these shapes:
friends (chatting sound)
exam (pencil sound)
study (paper turning sound)
homework (paper sound)
project (laptop typing sound)
parents (screaming sound)
sibling (baby crying)
class (bell)
time (hour seconds)
competition (cheers)
social media (cell phone notification)
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I also recorded my heavy breathing sound by myself until my roommate asking me whether I was sick and am I okay. LOL WKWKWK sry roommate
before
after
Title Design #1
I experimented with opacity and masking on the stroke while trying out various fonts.
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Initially, I chose black for the text, but I found that the movement felt too static. To create a more dynamic effect, I decided to make the circles scale in a sequential manner instead of all at once. Additionally, I changed the colour to a vibrant yellow-orange to enhance visual and draw attention. This approach effectively communicates the message of taking a moment to breathe.
Also, I tried to use multiple fonts.
I want to create a title that invites viewers to pause and breathe, using this concept as inspiration for my title design. I followed a tutorial on creating radial and pulsing effects, specifically How to Make 5 SIMPLE Animations in AFTER EFFECTS CC
first try
#1
#2
#3
#4
Reflection
Through the animatics process, I learned that some of the durations I initially planned in my storyboard didn’t quite fit. By creating the animatics, I could better assess if the timing worked and identify what needed adjustment, including transitions. I also realised the importance of clear sound context and context; without these, the motion graphic might feel confusing or random to the viewer. Another lesson was incorporating multiple angles to keep the story dynamic and engaging, preventing the viewer from getting bored. I also understood the need to make the focus of my motion graphic clearer and emphasised at the right moments. I learned how to effectively execute techniques like morphing using masks and the camera to create smooth transitions and enhance the storytelling. Additionally, I discovered that animating in a fluid way can bring the animation to life, making it feel more natural and dynamic.