Stepping into the next stage of the MA and production process, backward planning has been introduced. By setting an ultimate goal for after completing the course and keeping the requirements of the 703 module in mind, A set of actions has been defined for the next 12 weeks. This allows us to not only tick the boxes within the course, but aids us towards our career aspirations.
2 months after completing the MA
-Film entered into festivals
-Online portfolio developed (website/social media)
-Continued brand identity and engaging work shown
All in interest of having a thriving freelance career with work reflecting my interest of music and animation. Also working with clients who allow a degree of freedom and creativity. Through correct branding, I hope to hit my desired target market of highly creative musical outputs through illustration and animation.
Before backward planning, the Gantt chart served as a rough guide for what to do. However predicting these actions in a timeline going forward was difficult because there were many aspects of the preliminary process to organise. Setting this goal and working backwards from there has already clarified the next 12 weeks for me. Below I have specified the specific actions required for this module which will steer me towards my post MA goals.
The next task will be to arrange them on a timeline, but having specified what I need to do adds simplification to the task. It also makes performing the tasks less daunting because I have outlined my goal from the start. This is a new outlook from simply filling a Gantt chart with rough ideas of what I need to do.
The module focuses on experimentation with practice: Ensuring the film communicates well, looks great and moves further towards a finished piece. I have refined my goals into 3 categories:
Technical skills
Drawing/animating frequently will be important for advancing my knowledge of motion, crucial to 2D animation practice. Enhancing my knowledge of colour and lighting in animation will be useful with generally well thought out shots. Learning more skills on After Effects and TV Paint are generally useful. The more I can learn, the better. Learning more about working with music and animation for my current production will aid future music based projects. I will also work on my knowledge of 3D. This will probably manifest in physical models rather than Maya for instance. Building in 3D and using real life references are always useful to enhance animations.
Actions: LinkedIn learning, watching 2D animations, animators talks, life drawing, sound reacting visuals, A/V, 3D model building, ref footage
Networking skills
Entering the Big Smoke film into festivals would help considerably with entering my chosen field within animation because I would be selecting appropriate festivals and awards to be nominated for. An element of collaboration could also provide exposure. I have been thinking about featuring artists' work within the film. Artists who share similar themes of protest through creativity. The film could then essentially be an exhibition as well, adding to the experience of viewing this dystopian world. Continuing to graft and release work is also important. ~Refining my social media to a professional level, continuing to add content and reach out to people on LinkedIn and developing my website, which still has elements of improvement to be added.
Actions: Find appropriate festivals accepting admissions at appropriate times and add entries where possible (doing this before finishing the film would be helpful to know so the entry can be made quickly). Contact HELCH. HELCH is the first of the street artists I would like to include. He is UK based, his typeface is nationally recognised and collaborating with him if possible would be great. Create new website using Wix or similar (material has been produced but formatting it into a portfolio would help with branding and exposure. LinkedIn development, interactive and regular instagram posts (where my work currently gets the most exposure). Develop showreel when film is made.
Research skills
I need to focus my research topics to a concise level. Sound and image accompaniment is still high on my agenda. I wish to look into music production techniques. So far, the animatic has been made and the music over it. As I make a second draft of the film out of the animatic, sounds and images will be more synchronous using timing in TV Paint and After Effects. I would imagine after that the music will be developed further. I want to see how this practice develops my understanding of multimodality and sound design. I also want to compare this to the animated music video industry. Continuing to find other methodologies and ideas is also essential. I have a few preliminary readings to get me on my way.
Actions: Continue reading Visualising Research for methodology ideas, read into the experience economy (recommended after one of my presentations because it focuses on turning a commodity like music into a multi sensory experience, adding value to it), continue to note elements of practice which could inform research like working with Heath on sound design, read into music video production, read into multimodality wherever possible, look at synesthesia, contact the people I know who have it to get insights, continue to find sociopolitical and sustainable elements to feed into the narrative of the film
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