GIF Making
|
Brief - Create 10 animated GIFS based on prompt words which relate to our year of lockdown living. Each Gif must be 500 × 500px and use only the following hexadecimal colours -
#ff0000 #0066ff #ffff00 #00cc00 #000000 #ffffff The words I chose were: - Mask - Alcohol - Tired - Bubble - Discord - Plants - Lack of motivation - Pain - Exploring - Arguing |
|
To create my gifs I drew the frames in Medibang, then put them into a gif making site online.
I did try to use a drawing software with an animation feature, such as Krita, but the program was glitching on my laptop so i returned tot he program I am comfortable with.
2 Frame - Masks
3 Frames - Tired
5 Frame - Discord
6 Frame - Lack of motivation
8 Frame - Exploring
9 Frame - Alcohol
10 Frame - Bubble
12 Frame - Plants
15 Frame - Pain
20 Frame - Arguing
Title Sequence
You will create a title sequence of between 25 and 45 seconds. It should contain the title of your feature, and should contain the name of at least 3 of your actors. You will have to give your feature a title and consider it's tone. Feel free to have fun or take it very seriously - this is about exploring animation, motion graphics and research.
Select 1 genre from the following list:
YA SciFi TV series
Probably adapted from a popular book series where the world/galaxy/realm can only be saved by a seemingly normal teenager who is surprised to discover that they've got amazing powers & skills
Costume drama
New to the BBC, lots of big hats and country estates. Occasional dancing.
True Crime Documentary series
Grisly serial murders and hyperbolic American narration.
RomCom film
Jennifer Anniston. Everyone loves it but no one admits it.
US Dramedy
A previously upstanding citizen turns to a life of crime to solve a life altering problem.
UK sitcom
A predictable UK sitcom set in a work place.
Reality TV / fly on the wall series
You decide.
Hospital Drama
Predictably, all the doctors could also be models and they're all in complex relationships with each other. Every few episodes there's a really weird and gruesome injury.
Specialist with a quirk
US TV show about a specialist who is the best in their field due to an unusual quirk that seems counter to their specialism e.g. a detective who solves crimes by being really good at maths, a surgeon who's blind or pop star who's actually a CIA spy.
The star of the show is British and Americans are surprised to hear their accent on Oprah.
Supernatural horror
Huge for a few weeks after which point, if you've not seen it, the ending's definitely been spoiled by everyone at work.
Scandicrime
Murders. Ice. Bridges, Subtitles. Alcoholism. Snow. A detective on the edge.
Select 1 genre from the following list:
YA SciFi TV series
Probably adapted from a popular book series where the world/galaxy/realm can only be saved by a seemingly normal teenager who is surprised to discover that they've got amazing powers & skills
Costume drama
New to the BBC, lots of big hats and country estates. Occasional dancing.
True Crime Documentary series
Grisly serial murders and hyperbolic American narration.
RomCom film
Jennifer Anniston. Everyone loves it but no one admits it.
US Dramedy
A previously upstanding citizen turns to a life of crime to solve a life altering problem.
UK sitcom
A predictable UK sitcom set in a work place.
Reality TV / fly on the wall series
You decide.
Hospital Drama
Predictably, all the doctors could also be models and they're all in complex relationships with each other. Every few episodes there's a really weird and gruesome injury.
Specialist with a quirk
US TV show about a specialist who is the best in their field due to an unusual quirk that seems counter to their specialism e.g. a detective who solves crimes by being really good at maths, a surgeon who's blind or pop star who's actually a CIA spy.
The star of the show is British and Americans are surprised to hear their accent on Oprah.
Supernatural horror
Huge for a few weeks after which point, if you've not seen it, the ending's definitely been spoiled by everyone at work.
Scandicrime
Murders. Ice. Bridges, Subtitles. Alcoholism. Snow. A detective on the edge.
((Artist Research
Saul Bass Kyle Cooper
Disney Studio Ghibli
Look at animators/story board artists ))
Interesting TV/movie openings
Talk about variation of tv/film - Genre - Rating etc
|
Daredevil - A superhero tv show about a blind lawyer who moonlights as a vigilante taking on mob bosses and ninja cults.
I like this title sequence because of it's stylised effects, and monochromatic colour scheme which fits well with the darker tone of the show. |
Avatar The Last Airbender - Not a typical title sequence, but in iconic opening to an Asian inspired fantasy tv show about people who can control the elements.
I like this title sequence because it showcases beautiful animation and introduces the world and worldbuilding to us in a fun but understandable way. |
Deadpool - An R-rated superhero movie about a 4th wall breaking Merc with a mouth on a quest for revenge and to get back his girl.
I like this opening because it is as comedic and wacky as the rest of the movie, as well as showcasing the violence and humour that make up Deadpool's character, |
|
Black Sails - A historical tv show about a pirate crew lead by Captain Flint, one of the most feared pirate Capitan's in the Golden Age of Pirates.
I enjoy this opening because of it's beautifully intricate statues which references the world and the story of the show, and the use of light and shadows contrasting against them creates stunning imagery. |
Critical Role - An American web series where a group of professional voice actors play Dungeons and Dragons in their second broadcasted campaign.
I enjoy this opening because it showcases each of the character's personalities and backstories throughout through the use of beautiful animation, along with the use of the backing song, which is sung by members of the cast. |
Good Omens - A tv show based on the bestselling book by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, about an angel and a demon preventing the end of the world.
I enjoy this opening because the animation almost looks like paper cut outs, while also being very illustrative and detailed. |
|
Into The Spider Verse - An animated movie about a teenage boy named Miles who takes over the role of Spiderman, with the help of a group of Spidermen from other realities.
I really enjoy this opening because it combines a comic book type style of illustration to invoke the feel of the original source material, while also combining spray paint like textures to show the modernity of the film and aspects of Miles Morales' character. |
Sense8 - A Netflix original about a group of 8 individuals around the world who become psychically linked together, and must learn to work together to ensure each other's safety.
I enjoy this opening because it shows images of people and places around the world, showing connectivity, which is a major theme in the show, which implies that we as the human species are all incredibly similar even though we differ in many ways. |
Game Of Thrones - A fantasy tv show about the politics of the major houses of the country of Westeros, and the conflicts that arise from their actions.
I enjoy this opening because it showcases all of the important locations shown in the series through beautiful crafted moving sculptures, as each parts move and change, showcasing the intricacies of the moving parts of the political aspects of the world, and how everything is in motion, never stagnant. |
Genre openings
I found openings to tv shows that match the genres given in an attempt to understand how different tv genres present themselves through their title sequences.
|
Sci-Fi Tv Show - The 100 A tv show about 100 teenagers who gets sent to a dying earth to prevent the overpopulation of the spacecraft that contains the last remains of the human race. Other examples - Umbrella Academy A tv show about a dysfunctional family of superpowered individuals who reunite for their fathers funeral as a number of strange and wacky occurrences begin to happen. |
|
|
Costume/period Drama - Downton Abby A historical drama about the lives of the Crawley family and their servants, an aristocratic British family in the 20's as they try to save their family estate. Other examples - The Handmaiden A south Korean phycological thriller historical film about a pickpocket and a con-man trying to seduce and steal a wealthy Japanese woman's inheritance. |
|
|
True crime - Don't F*ck With Cats A True Crime documentary about a crowd sourced investigation into a man named Luka Magnotta after a series of animal cruelty acts, which lead to his murder of Chinese international student Jun Lin. Other examples - Abducted in plain sight A true crime documentary about 12 year old Jan Broberg who was abducted twice by a close family friend and neighbour. |
|
|
RomCom - Crazy Rich Asians A romantic comedy film about a professor named Rachel who meets her boyfriend's family, only to find out he belongs to one of the richest families in the country. Other examples - The Princess Bride A fairy tale adventure movie about a woman named Buttercup and her true love, Westly, who must rescue her and battle through the evils of the Kingdom of Florian to be reunited together. |
|
|
US Dramady - Chuck A tv series about an IT help technician, Chuck, who accidently downloads a government super computer into his brain and now must work with the CIA and NSA for their secret missions, all while keeping the truth from his family and friends. Other examples - The Good Place A tv show about a woman named Eleanor, who finds herself in a perfect afterlife after being mistaken for another, and must now hide her morally corrupt past to remain. |
|
|
UK Sitcom - Bad education A British tv show about a teacher named Alfie at Abby Grove School who is an even bigger kid than those he teaches, and the mishaps of him and his fellow colleagues. Other examples - Gavin and Stacy A British tv show about a long distance couple, Gavin and Stacey, who decide to meet after months on an online relationship. The show follows their relationship, and the lives of their friends and family. |
|
|
Reality TV - I'm a Celeb A reality game show where a group of celebrity contestants are flown out to the Australian outback to compete in a series of wilderness themed games and challenges until only one remains. Other examples - The Real Housewives An American media franchise which documents the lives of affluent housewives in several varying regions. |
|
|
Hospital Drama - Greys Anatomy A tv show about the lives of surgical interns and their supervisors as they embark on a medical journey to become the finest of doctors. Other examples - The Good Doctor A tv show about a young Autistic doctor named Shaun who joins a renowned hospital in San Jose, and his journey as he uses his skills to treat his patents and prove his abilities to his co-workers. |
|
|
Specialist with a quirk - Criminal Minds A tv show about a group of criminal profilers within the FBI who analyse the nations most dangerous criminals to anticipate their next moves before they strike again. Other examples - Sherlock A British tv shoe about a former army doctor who finds himself sharing a flat with an eccentric detective, and the duo find themselves taking on the most unusual cases. |
|
|
Supernatural Horror - The Haunting of Hill House A horror tv show about a family who move into Hill House, and begin experiencing paranormal occurrences. 26 years later, the family reunites and goes back to the house to confront what happened to them there all those years ago. Other examples - Cabin in the woods A horror movie about 5 friends who retreat to a cabin in the woods, but begin to fall victim to the supernatural occurrences, all while a team of scientists looks on and manipulated the goings on of the monsters. |
|
|
Scandicrime - The Rain A Danish Tv show where a rain carried virus has wiped out most of humanity, two siblings must travel the country with a group of young survivors to find sign of life. Other examples - Marcella A British Tv show about an ex-police detective who goes back to the job to investigate a serial killer after her seemingly happy marriage falls apart. |
|
Show ideas
|
|
After creating some mind maps, my three main ideas were a fantasy series, a show about teenage superhero's, and a Western cowboy drama. After putting some thought into it, I realised that the fantasy and superhero ideas would be too complex to portray in such a short time, so I stuck with the Western, which imagery and aesthetic is instantly recognisable and iconic.
Plot ideas -
Train heist -
A train thief puts together a crew to pull off one last heist.
A character based show, 5 man band trope. The group is pushing against the advancement of the railway line. Their preparation for their heist before they pull it off.
Outlaws -
A band of outlaws defending their territory from sheriffs, mercenaries, rangers, and other outlaw gangs.
A character based show, gritty and violent.
Town drama -
A simple town trying to survive attacks from outlaws and the slow death of the West.
A character based show, each character has secrets which lead to them escaping into the desert and settling here. Different roles/archetypes. Priest, sheriff, saloon owner, barkeep, stable hands, cowboys, outlaws etc.
After some deliberation and putting the ideas to a vote, I decided to stick with the town drama idea. I have also decided the theme will lean towards a Revisionist Western, but it will still be a dramatic, violence filled show to appeal to the stereotype of the western genre.
A Revisionist Western - Revisionist Western came about in the 1960s as a response to classic Westerns. These films took a different look at the West, often incorporating Native Americans as more than just “savages.” Revisionist Westerns called the audience to examine whether the use of violence is moral – even if the protagonist is justified.
Examples: Dances With Wolves, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Wild Bunch.
|
|
|
|
|
Benjamin Reeves
- A stranger in town - Expert marksman with a hidden past - Solitary and resourceful |
Sheriff Caleb Walker
- Sheriff of Crow's Hollow - Protective of his town and its inhabitants - Reliable and proud |
|
Isi Riley
- Owner of a small ranch on the outskirts of Crow's Hollow - Independent and familial |
Father Joseph Davidson
- Long time Priest of Crow's Hollow and veteran of the Civil War - Good natured and honest |
Serena Shaw
- Madame of the local brothel - A well educated woman - Intelligent and sharp witted. |
Music choices
The most iconic cowboy/western music is unquestionably the score from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, was composed by Ennio Morricone. I also included the Mandalorian theme as an example, because it is fundamentally a sci-fi western, and the music reflects this, incorporating themes and instruments typically found in scores of Western movies.
Musicians such as The Heavy and Shawn James often produce gritty, country sounding music, with lyrics that often apply to the cowboy/western narrative. While Jonny Cash is a famous rock and roll singer, a lot of his music in his later years contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, which fits well with the mood I am trying to portray in this opening.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Song ideas
short change hero - the heavy
A'int no grave - Jonny cash
Shawn James - Through the Valley
The Chain - Fleetwood + Mac
Talk about film ratio - 1920 x 1080 ratio 16:9
Storyboards and thumbnails
I first began by sketching out typical imagery you see in Western genre movies and shows, before I moved on to try to bring together a more cohesive storyboard.
Show names - Crow's Hollow / Drifter
Show names - Crow's Hollow / Drifter
Ideas -
1 - Storybook/popup book - Like Game of Thrones - zoom in on illustrations of the town then the buildings/important locations pop up like pop up books. Character places eg church, saloon, sheriffs office, jail, etc
2 - Godless style - Focus on animating objects/people/scenery that symbolise the characters eg Saddle + lasso for Isa, Sherriff's badge for Caleb, Rosary + cross/church for Father, Hand mirror + lipstick for Serena, Cowboy hat + pistol for Benjamin - Monochromatic? black and white with red or orange?
3 - Centred around a shootout - Two people facing opposite, focus on eyes/faces/hands, then follow bullet as it fires. Ends with opponent falling down with Benjamin stood standing in the background, with the title arising from dust/wipe screen from dust tumbler
|
Idea 1 - I liked the intro to this opening where it descended into the book, but I realised that animating the popup book would be too complex for the deadline that I had.
Idea 2 - The second idea gave me the ability to portray and imply the characters roles before the show even began, but it didn't seem dynamic enough. Ideas 3 - The third idea allowed me to incorporate they typical western imagery of a shootout into it, effectively setting the scene of the show. |
Thumbnails
|
I then began to roughly develop my intro more. I took the idea of the raven on the noose and incorporated it into the beginning, so that the crow becomes a circular narrative point in the opening, at the beginning and at the end. I also came up with the idea of the crows feathers slowly revealing the title as they fall. I then roughly sketched out more frames for the animation, which I will now digitalise and begin putting together a rough animatic. |
|
Here is a rough thumbnailed animatic of my intro.
- Final Project -
The process of turning the frames into a video has unfortunately degraded the quality of the animation, and I cant find a way to prevent this from happening.
Here I have presented all of the frames of my animation, so you can see them in top quality.
