Storyboard

Detailed Storyboard

Here we have our storyboard. We drew out what we would like each scene to look like, focusing on the fact that we are creating a cut out animation. We made sure that the images would be appropriate for this process of animation. After pulling apart the poem we decided to create a scene for at least 2-3 lines of the poem and add the action that we believed represented the lines well. We've included incorporating the different uses of the cinematic effects we want throughout the animation such as wide shots and places where we would like to zoom in and out or have the camera shot move across the page

Research

The Fish and The Doll - Orla Wren (2009)

This animation is a hand drawn pencil, cut out animation. We think that the animation is about always believing and following your dreams. The main character is sad as she can’t have a baby and the doll wants to be a fish/live in the sea.

Analysis:

• Anthropomorphism = the doll is given human characteristic as it can move/walk etc
• No dialogue or conversations. All communication within characters is done by gesture and facial expressions. Slight singing type sounds are mad at the end on the animation. 
•   Music, that sets a sad tone.
• Structure = Establish the want for a child, climax = the doll does not want to be mothered and want to be free in the sea, Resolution = Character is able to accept this and end up having a child
• Metamorphosis  =  with the doll turning into a mermaid
•  Framing = character is framed by the window to show importance
•  Fade transitions between shots
• Close ups, wide shots, point of view

How did this animation help us?

-Gave insight into framing and camera shots
            - Ideas about transitions and how to connect shots
            -Good insight on movements of characters (however the arms and legs did look a bit disconnected  to character)
            -Playing with layers
            -Playing with space and distance

First Annabel Lee Cut-Out!

Today we scanned our pencil drawings of Annabel Lee onto the computer and edited it using Photoshop. We made the outline of her darker and added the colours to her dress and hair that we wanted. We also reflected the bottom of the dress and her arms so they were symmetrical and identical. The printed images colour came out out a lot darker than it did on screen so we will have to saturate the image a lot more so that the colours aren't printed so dark.

After we printed her out on A3 card, we used a scalpel to cut Annabel Lee out. After cutting her out with the separate limbs and hands we used a needle and thread to join the parts of her limbs together. The needle was too thick and ended up ripping the cardboard slightly and also the thread was black and probably too thin so next time we attempt a cut out we will use a much thinner needle and thicker white thread.

Hegdehog in the Fog, Yuriy Norshteyn, 1975 inspiration

Hedgehog in the Fog (Click comments to view analysis)

Yuriy Norshteyn, 1975

Click the comments to view the analysis

Cutout

Here are the characters that have been cut out with paper. After using paper and finding it quite difficult to move the characters we have decided to use thicker card to cut out or characters from and to make them larger so they aren't so fiddly, otherwise the limbs are quite small and hard to control

Experimenting with Cut-Out

We trialed some of our character designs with cut-out animation. The doves cut out worked well and we are pleased with the outcome, however the character's limbs looked very disjointed and still. It was difficult to move the character's arms and hands as the parts were just to small and delicate.

If we decide to make our project using the cut-out animation method, we will have to make the characters larger. This will make the parts easier to move and work with. Also, we can tread the limbs together to keep them connected but still allows the freedom to move.

Below is the out-come of this experiment.

Characters in a Little More Detail

Here we have come up with some more detailed concepts for each of the characters. The characters also have more of their characteristics added to them, such as with the wind. It's more chilling and has sharp edges to represent its evilness and chilling factors. We've come up with several different angles and facial features for Annabel Lee for when she appears within the animation. Also we decided to use silhouettes of doves to represent their love for one and other without revealing the narrators identity