EVALUATION

EVALUATION

The overall purpose of the module was essentially to understand the 12 principles of animation and apply them to my own practical work. Within the different tasks which were set, there was also emphasis on learning to use these principles with a number of materials. For example, plasticine could be used for stop-motion animations or simple pen on paper could be used in the line tester. In relation to this, inductions into programmes like photoshop and Premiere aided in making these animations more smooth and professional. The styles of animation (for example traditional animation or stop-motion) also come into the module and using a range was also important for the module.

Within my set of practical work, one which stood out to me was the 2D stop motion I did of a sea monster and a character. For the first half I used pen and paper on the line tester and proceeded to use plasticine for the second half. The film stood out to me because it applied many of the principles of animation and it made me recognise how things like anticipation can transmit the story I’m trying to tell effectively to an audience.

AREAS OF SUCCESS:

·       Use of lots of materials

·       Many methods of animation used

·       I acted on the mistakes I made in previous tasks

·       Good sketchbook ideas

·       12 principles are evident in work

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT:

·       Photoshop skills could be improved

·       I could consider sketchbook drawings within the context of animation

·       Think about timing and pauses within my films

Within my practical tasks for the module, I incorporated the 12 principles of animation into them and each task was able to inform the next to make it better. However, when animating, my tutors told me of the importance of communicating my ideas to an audience so they see my work in the way I intend. For example, in the timing exercise where I animated a rocking chair, I was unable to make my character move in symbiosis with the chair to make it look realistic. However in future tasks like my stop-motion with plasticine, I was able to make the boat rocking move in accordance with my character’s movement. I have also learned how important small movements are when incorporating principles like anticipation because in this film, making my character blink a few times effectively built some suspense and made the finished project more effective.

Within the pre-production element of my work such as storyboarding, I have realised how important sequential thinking is in keeping my projects organised and making sure they look like the animation I intended to make. By mapping out storyboards and angles I was immediately more able to translate my ideas into animation far more effectively. For later storyboards, I was also told to incorporate things like movement of characters and camera movement. Therefore, for future projects, I realise the importance of communicating to an audience which are heavily aided through the 12 principles of animation.