DS_Slide

This exercise was moe challenging than the croquet one because the animation of the ball was more demanding. This is my first draft and after rewatching I feel that the timing of the ball is unconsistant and needs work! Especially when it slows down in pace to roll through the second hoop. Also, the landing of the ball into the box needs work as its sudden stop gives the appearence of the bottom of the box being soft almost like quick sand as if the ball has been swallowed by it. Also, the ball's transform key frame needs editing to raise it on the y axis so it doesnt half dissapear as it lands in the box.

DS_Croquet

My second exercise using Soft Image and this time I am animating! We were given the scene already loaded with the modelled ball, hammer and goals for the ball to go through. Our objective was to make the hammer swing with a follow through and the ball roll thorugh the goals.
Although the animation at first seems simple enough, I found getting my head around the animation tools quite challenging, especially editing the key frames eg. their position in terms of time and also in terms of the position of the actual model which is being animated.
However, after playing about and working through trial and error, I believe that my understanding has greatened and now I just need to practice to further my skills in this programme.

I feel that the timing works well apart from the second of contact between the hammer and the ball where it looks to lag slightly. Other then that, I feel the rotation of the ball works well and so does the follow through of the hammer.

Film Ideas Pitch

This was the first time I have had to speak to a large group of people about my own ideas and I have to admit, it was nerve-racking! However, I think the hardest part of it all was making myself put my hand up to say that I would go next. Once I had made my way to the front of the class and began talking, it wasnt that bad. I think my pitch went well in terms of I said all that I wanted to say and believe my idea was put across to the "audience" successfully. Next time, I just need to make sure I remember this experience and not get so worked up about it before hand!
Watching fellow animators pitches, what I think worked well was using visual material to help illustrate to executive producers etc. exactly what you envision for your film as a finished product. Also, what worked extremely well was the use of role play as I still have not forgotten his pitch because it was so different to anyone elses.
Since the pitch, I have been given the role of producer (woop!) for an animation based around the idea of a make-your-own family kit which sounds exciting. Cant wait to get stuck in! 

Mr Potato Head

For my first excercise using Autodesk Soft Image, the task was to construct a Mr and Mrs Potato head with the previously modeled parts and then, using Photoshop, create a short comic strip. I found using the programme to be really fun once I figured out how to manouvre the camera with the different mouse buttons.
Thinking of a story simple enough which could be conveyed in 4 frames of a comic strip I found quite hard so used Superman as the basis for my strip. Superheroes instantly set a scene of a victem needing to be rescued all that was required for my strip to work is scene to be clearly set displaying an obstacle for my hero.

I believe in this strip the scene is successfully set, however, the font colouring is unclear in the 3rd and 4th frames and therefore need editing!

Redo

The blue font stands out better in the frames.