What Makes a Good Model

One of the most important aspect's to a good computer model is good topology if the topology of the model isn't taken into account then it will become allot more difficult to rig skin and animate. Good topology also makes it easier to change later. The key to this is to start with a low amount of polygons until you have the right shape you're looking for then you can just add on edge loops and extrusions to add more detail and smoothness. A good amount of polygons allows smoother skinning and animation. Working from reference allows more accurate results in the form of the shape of the character, which is why using a drawn character concept of the front and side allows the modeller to create the character accurately in 3D.

There are 2 types of polygon for modelling, squares which are best for creating smoother deformations and shading. This type is best for animating complex characters. While triangles are better for video game characters since they take up less rendering time.
Triangles should be avoided for animation, they lead to tears rips and rough deformations.
The modeling can make and break your animation and should be taken into consideration from straight at the beginning

UV mapping also makes a good model because the better a character has been mapped out for texturing the more detailed and accurate the textures will look when applied to the final model.  

Lastly a model should always be made in a T pose if not rigging and skinning becomes very difficult.

image

https://uk.pinterest.com/betopra/character-topology/

Character Design The Aardman style

Introduction

For my character I decided to go with an Aardman style for the face and body. I love the charm of Wallace and Gromit and am hoping to recreate the replaceable mouth pieces for my characters facial expressions. To get the effect stepped tangents maybe used on purpose when animating the face. This technique was used on Flushed Away which was Aardman's first computer animated film using the stop motion technique.

The Process

The process would involve rigging multiple mouths as well as using set driven keys to show and hide each mouth shape. This could be a challenging process but it could lead to some fascinating
results.
The animation relies on excitement as the main emotion which fits the Aardman style well

                      

Character Design

The character will be an anthropomorphic animal that fits the emotion and personality of excitement.
For this I have decided to design a bunny using inspiration from the design of Hutch from (Curse of the Were Rabbit) 2005, as well as Roger From Image works (Who Framed Roger Rabbit) 1988

The Style

Animation

The reason this style was chosen was to further the investigation into the appeal of Aardman's characters and what makes this style stand out compared to other stop motion companies and computer animation companies. The mouths are replaceable to get much more exaggerated expressions. The animation is stop motion so uses less frames this however gives it it's charm and adds a more cartoony vibe. This can be contrasted by Laika's style which is more realistic in the mouth movement.                              


                      Aardman   

                         Laika                                                 

The Aardman mouth movement is exaggerated in shape as well as the squash and stretch. While laika's has more frames and feels more fluid and realistic. However the simplicity of Aardman adds more room for exaggeration of shape, as well as charming expressions.

Eyebrows and Body Language

Another technique that Aardman take advantage of is noticing the eyebrows are the most expressive part of the face. The character of Gromit doesn't even have mouth however the use of detailed body language and the use of his eyebrow really show what he is thinking. The ears also represent his emotions as well.
                       
This proves that mouth animation may not even be needed at all if the rest of the face and body read well enough.


Most important reason Aardman stands out is that they show the characters are hand crafted out of Plasticine by leaving marks in the characters. This makes the characters feel more imperfect and adds an appeal of craftsmanship. Also the use of Plasticine allows more freedom in the shapes and movement of the characters. This can be recreated in computer animation but it never recaptures it fully.


image references


Aardman,

https://www.tumblr.com/search/wallace%20and%20%20gromit

http://imgur.com/gallery/9nwkk

http://www.wallaceandgromit.com/history

http://madmovieman.com/1487-flushed-away-2006/#

http://parody.wikia.com/wiki/Hutch



Laika

https://www.tumblr.com/search/gif:%20coraline


Disney

http://es.disney.wikia.com/wiki/Roger_Rabbit

  

My Story Board

Here is the plan for my story board originally I wanted to do something more adventurous but I had problems since this is my first actual storyboard for an animation.

In the end I went for opening a birthday day present focusing on the emotion of surprise. This can be interesting when adding shock when the trick is revealed. The strongest use of exaggeration in the storyboard is when they rip open the present.

Overall it it went quite well the animation was timed in real time using a home video camera to time out the events and add more into the expression. I feel that the story making process needed more work however I could change the location for the short to add different opportunities for conflict. Also how the story is at the moment it might be too long for 30 seconds. considering the smashing the present at the end. The character design also needs doing. The basic character used will be replaced with an anthropomorphic animal. The staging may need improving or simplifying to allow the audience to read the actions.

story board research

http://www.floobynooby.com/comp1.html

useful website for learning everything you need to know about storyboarding

Production calendar

This Production calendar will allow to keep on schedule and make a better product.

Pose to Pose Tutorial

This tutorial is short but it does focus on the basic principles to focus on when blocking. Creating dynamic poses and movements using squash and stretch and solid drawing creating more fluid animation. The second tutorial is much more detailed and gives more tips.

Story Refinement

Idea 1:  Opening a small gift on April fools day - Nervous

1. Inciting Incident / First plot point: A character notices a random present on the table.  First are relaxed until they see the present, next they show confusion / puzzled scratching there head thinking (it's not my birthday). 
2. They then notice the calendar that reads April 1st and react in surprise 
3. Second Plot point: After that they begin to nervously to open the present in caution. when lid is off it reveals a smaller present inside.
4. character squints when the they pick up the small present and open more nervous and frightened.
5. Finale and payoff: finally it turns out was a nice gift and they are happy but still a little freaked out unanswered question, how did the present get there in the first place.

Idea variations

At the end something bad could happen after they think everything is OK e.g. a creature jumps out of the smaller box or the gift turns into something scary or just a practical joke. Maybe the present comes to life and starts moving.

Maybe it doesn’t have to convey it is April fools maybe leave that out or leave it till the end of the animation

reference for gestures and subtleties: using films and media

when  they first see the present


confused and puzzled scratching head thinking (Its not my birthday)


eyes look towards calender

reaction to seeing it is April fools day

freaked out







Idea 2: Hiding from parents after stealing a snack from the fridge - proud excited

1. Inciting incident / First plot point: Starts out as an explorer discovering hidden tomb. The chamber is opened revealing a treasure. Then it changes to reality showing it was the kids imagination. A domestic kitchen with the kid below a giant open fridge. kid is curious
2. The kid steals the snack with a cheeky proud gesture. 
3. They then go back to there secret den to hide from parents this could lead them back into there fantasy the den could be like a cave or spy headquarters. 
4. Finale and payoff: the parent discovers the hiding place leaving the kid in shock

The problem with this concept is it is more complicated and would have to be simplified in order to work.  

I decided to go with excited opening a present.