After a rushed term, I'm satisfied with the outcome, considering how many project each student had to complete. Our Projects overall outcome was difficult to track considering the 2D characters WERE after all 2D. We had many problems editing the footage, but it eventually came all together.
We was able to achieve the effect we both imagined from the start, the simplistically gave it a very original feel. And although it has been mention by a few of our fellow students, that the still shots were very manga-fied. We do not regret this, since it was what the client asked for. Its been a great step for the both of us (me and Laura) since its another stylistic approach which is rapidly growing through out the industry. Even large cooperation's such as Marvel, have produced their own manga section(Mangaverse) and has become a great success. Its undoubted that the japanese culture has effected the younger generations considerably.
By using various camera movements as the main animation was influence by the basic anime conventions which surround us in our everyday lifes. SINCE our brief from college is marked on our TECHNICAL outcome and not the contextual assets we took the gamble, and followed our own brief's we received from our own clients. We aimed to use anime conventions with western 2D animations. To do so, I blocked out the characters so much, many people agreed it wasn't anime. Some people even praised me, since I have a considerable amount of trouble avoiding this style in the first place. Being brought up with these conventions it has become a habit I can't take away form myself. I admit, I lacked in animating in flash, but at least I found what I needed to improve on. I REALISED animating instruments is really a big challenge. I really admire those who are actually able to do so, since timing is VERY important in the process.
We feel if we had more time and less stress from other units we would have had a better outcome. At one point we did consider modeling then rigging the characters separately. However, we both lack skills in rigging. So we didn't want to focus all our attention on technical issues.
We noticed how independent we worked as a team from the other students working on ravelive projects. But in a sense, it was a good thing. It gave us a sense of pride. And the feeling of how a freelance would work, without the support of our tutors having to make contact with our own clients. We went to meet our own clients, and kept in touch with them throughout the term using a private group, made on facebook. Since everyone uses facebook everyday, it was something unavoidable. It was more convenient then using a blog to discuss matters. So this was undoubtedly a great success.
We still continue to use this group, even after finishing the project. Outside of college, this has become a great job opportunity before graduating. We have devised an outside project to continue working on a PV for the band. This time in 3D. The band is now gradually gaining more fans as they win more competitions, so a PV is definatly needed! My still shots have also been used. So I'm proud the client went as far as using it of large projected screens. I generally didnt feel the clip was exactly good enough to be broadcasted infront of a real crowed of people though. Alot more work is needed for that to be acceptable. However, It was still a great step to professionalism.
I would love to learn more on com positing 2d and 3D elements together, to hopefully get to a higher standard then great successes such as animatrix, tekkonkinkreet, casshern and appleseed.
And even though we still lack in technical skills, me and Laura have both learnt alot together. As friends, we had no communication concerns. We talk and meet very often, so that was definately no problem. I think what pulled us back was the technical problems and the lack of will power to get things done at times. After doing other projects, there had no motivation to continue on to another project. So maybe it was our lack of focus, from having so many units in one term? However, co-operating together as a team was something very enjoyable. Laura's a great team mate to work with. But I do kind of understand why its better for friends not to work so close together sometimes. Things could just slide by, whereas in the industry, another team member may even go as far as threaten you to get the work done properly.
Even so, we are currently working on this project in 3D, currently gathering research together, and slowly modeling. Our digital environment skills are coming back, which is always a great help. We hope to produced a magical sequence to the best of our current abilities. And hope they rapidly improve before going back to rave.
