Class Evaluation

1. Why did you take this class?   

• I took the class Animation because I honestly thought it could be beneficial to becoming a game creator, or an animator. I've always been fascinated by the work of animators in shows, movies, and games. Taking Animation felt like the right decision to accomplish one of my few goals 

2. In general, what did you like most about this class?

• The environment and the surrounding of people really make me enjoy taking this class. We all started off not really knowing each other but bonded quick. What i also enjoy about this class is that we are given the chance to work with professional software and equipment which helps us, and I understand how; if we do continue in the field, the process is all done.

3. In general, what did you like least about this class?

• It's not so much of the class but of myself, I just need to put better time into projects and not get side tracked. oh, and also the Blogs which is a part on my fault but I don't Wifi at home and I do not have unlimited Data for my phone so my only option is the public library in North Tonawanda but I usually do not go there so it gets a bit hard schedule wise. 

4. What was your most favorite project and why?

• The 2-D short because we had free reign on what we wanted which offered a lot of creativity

5. What was your least favorite project and why?

• Mine would probably have to me Maya tutorials, even though it does help, I was being taught some methods that i was never going to use this year. I do understand that some people valued it, but it just wasn't for me and I had  hard time getting it done.

6. Discuss the overall effectiveness of the instructor (for example: preparation, availability, interest, content knowledge, expectations, etc.).

• Ms.Licata taught well, she made sure that we got enough examples to see how things are done and was perfectly fine with taking many questions. just so that we can understand what to do.

7. What are the most valuable things you learned in the class?

• How to manage time and how to be productive, something that i didn't use all of the time.. my fault

8. Do you feel that this class will help you achieve your future academic or career goals? How or why (or why not)?

• I believe it will help me have a far more great chance of moving into my dream field. 

9. How could this class be improved?

• I don't really have any complaints, though i didn't like the blogs but still

10. What would you tell incoming students to help them be more prepared for the class?

• I would advise/tell the new Nurbs is that they should manage their time well, focus on the concept not the detail, take good notes, stay organized and show motivation because that'll define their entire year in Animation 

11. Additional Comments:

   The last actual project that we have made was our choice but with a catch. We were given a list of lines that would have to be incorporated with the animation giving a sense of being lost. We could add more dialogue if we did so wish.

• "this doesn't look right"
• "Do you even know where we are going?"
• "Don't worry about it"
• "I have a keen sense of direction."
• "Did you see that?"
• "Whats happening?"
• "We need to move. Now"
• "We're almost there"

     For my animation i chose to create it in a 2d format, using Harmony. My original idea was supposed to be an elderly couple in Hell who are trying to make it to the buffet. they never do because every time they reach what they think is the buffet its just a cardboard cut-out. For some reason I never did go through with that idea. Instead, I went with an idea about how an adventurer gets lost on one of his quests with his annoying follower.
    My protagonist quite distinctly resembles Link from the Legend of Zelda games.
 He is the one who is leading the exploration but doesn't know at all where he is going. His follower, Imp, is constantly arguing with him about where they are. The whole idea that an adventurer being lost on one of his adventures fits the scenario.
   To fulfill, or at least attempt to, my animation I need the principles. Motion, character design, voice acting and style of art. With my characters i have attempted to add a personality in them with my style of drawing them while also being simplistic.
   While working on the project. I specifically like how I made my lip sync for the characters. It was by far the most fluid movement that i have ever created.
 

      Filming holds many styles of capturing the scene. The major way of filming is left to right (right to left), up and down, and background to foreground. The angle and direction of movement for the camera controls everything. The movie "Strangers on a Train" by Alfred Hitchcock has an opening scene only showing the feet of the two main characters. The protagonist is moving in the scene from left to right, symbolizing progression, positive aspects. The antagonist however moved right to left, suspicious, sinister. A collage has studied this type of filming and uses peoples reaction for the film. they showed one group a movie but everything was moving left to right. they received positive comments. Then, they showed the same movie to another group but everything moved right to left now. After showing group 2 the movie they received dark comments. For instance, comments like dark, awkward, sinister, etc.Moving the camera in any way (in direction) can change the environment.

 weekly comments:

        I have been working on my 3D project lately, its going good actually. I feel like i'm putting to much detail in it like I always do. I really need to fix that problem with me. Haha. I'm definitely going to try to work on it. But i am looking forward to is stop motion for the independent project. i have worked with stop motion before, with actual physical objects. Also,  I've seen a video lately that is HILARIOUS is by Oney. I do warn you, it is sexual and swears but the animation and skit is great.  

    Creating art in anyway and trying to gain notoriety for it is almost impossible these days. People do crazy things for attention and fame but not for the soul purpose, determination and skill. I mean yes they say they have determination but their perspective of that one defining word is a short breath of life. No one wants to focus on one thing for so long and its all because society tells us to move along, to not waste life on something that will take experience and patience and dedication. BUT THATS THE THING, YOU NEED TIME TO HAVE EXPERIENCE AND SKILL!!!!! sorry for my outburst, but it gets annoying what is told for one to be great in the arts or skills. no one is born with skill, potential yes but, no one is somehow magically born with the ability to sing or write novels, etc. look at DaVinci or Gogh. yes DaVinci studied under a renowned artist of the time at age 14 but if you look close enough Leonardo didn't finish "The Last Supper" for three years (1495-1498). HE WAS 40 YEARS OLD WHEN HE FINISHED IT! Sooooooo many famous geniuses of the time didn't get their big break till their 30's. For instance, Harrison Ford, Ulysses S. Grant, Micheal Faraday, etc. I will admit some people are lucky to hit their big break early in their life but still. The life of the artist isn't so easy to achieve. Pain, annoyance, critique of own work, substance abuse (not really, just the stereotype), and little notoriety. Van Gogh dealt with so much during his in connection with his work. For such an amazingly long time no one bought his work. Even when all hope was practically lost.... he STILL KEPT PUSHING. Because of the very long time of no success Van Gogh hit a very very rough patch of his mentality, one he wouldn't recover from. The life of the back breaking, sleep deprived, broke, crazy(not literal), barely surviving artist is more realist and common amongst the real artists that never get found or admired, not these autotuned, rich family, who pay for the fame when they hypnotized the listeners and viewers.
   
     Another problem mainly related to desk working people like animators is back pain and health. It all depends on the worker though but position and movement is key to feeling good in the work place which can improve work. the keys to a healthy position at your desk is:

     1.) Use a active chair. By that i mean one you move around in a lot.

2.) Sit to where your legs are comfortable. NO crossing legs.

3.) Don't lean far forward or far back. 

4.) It doesn't hurt to rock back and forth

   Two hours a day of active sitting can help improve core strength and burn calories. Another way to help is interrupt your sitting every 30 minutes and just do lunges, calf raises and shoulder shrugs. All of this can relieve tension, joint and nervs in your body. take these opportunities when you can. hopefully me and everyone who reads these tips will follow them.

WEEKLY COMMENTS:
   
      I am happy. For many reasons. 1.) I got my chicken project done and it looks great
2.) I got a new bass guitar
3.) I'm starting to enjoy boces again
 I had a few problems though. My computer wouldn't allow my project to load up. I got by that so it's all good. I'm looking forward to this 3D project coming up. Hope it goes well

   

      

Weekly comments:

   This week. Wow, just wow. Maya has been really hard for patience and understanding. I'm better with harmony(2D) for sanity lol. Well, I am looking forward to stop motion to learn and for my independent project. I'm really looking forward to that

   Techniques for animation have existed but work for certain professions of it like 3d, 2d, stop motion etc. For the emotions or expressions can be shown through a 3d printer.
   First you would have to create a mesh (in a sense, blueprint) for it to be run by the printer. All through Maya May I remind you.
For a realistic emotion you would want to print into smaller bits. (This is all to be used in stop motion). The "bits" are essentially the lower face, then middle, then up. It won't come out the greatest so that's why sanding and smoothing will be needed for the final part. Then combine.
   This all shows even though the old ways of filming are not used as much that now day technology can be used to improve the efficiency and quality of the animation. If and when I do stop motion (also if I have a 3d printer) I would use these methods of creating these models

Hello everyone, yes I am not dead or gone. Merry Christmas, happy New year, just to catch up. so how is everyone? Everyone doing good? Anyways...
 
   We got into 3D animation recently. More so of the rigging in it. But there are things to measure it's faces/units. (Forgot the name) the two major faces are squares and triangles(still forgot). It is better to use the squares(oh god I'm sorry) than the triangles bc it sets the basics of the object. Then when you get into detail you use the triangles