Overview

Over this module, I have looked at a range of practitioners and techniques. My sources for animation has become more varied across both digital and hard copy mediums. While looking at many examples of different types on animation and how they are utilised in the industry, I have developed my goals for my own work for second year.

I hope to apply my developed understanding of animation over the summer and possibly apply to some of the competitions I specified in my study tasks and begin forming a strong portfolio.

Competition

Six Competitions

1. Character Design contest
   https://www.animationportfolioworkshop.com/apw-character-design-contest/
   Submit 4 standing poses, 3 actions poses and 4 facial expressions of an original character.
2. Animbreak competitions
   https://polycount.com/discussion/187905/animbreak-june-animation-challenge-3-respawn
   Monthly themed character animation contests with small prizes. 
3. 11 Second Club
   http://www.11secondclub.com/competitions/current
   Monthly character animation contest. Theme-less and any medium but must meet 11 seconds. 
4. Looped Animation
   https://www.loopdeloop.org/
   Monthly. Looped, any medium. Top 100 get screened in Australia and (possibly) cities near you. 
5. Concept art
   https://blog.battlerite.com/concept-art-contest-2019-begins/
   Design new look for already established character in game. 
6. Short Film
   https://filmfreeway.com/SweatyEyeballsAnimationFestival?utm_campaign=Sweaty+Eyeballs+Animation+Festival&utm_medium=External&utm_source=Submission+Button
   American based contest for quirky short films. International entry permitted. 

Non Fiction

Ten Non Fiction Animations

1. TVC Channel Package (2014)
   N3, RussiaTVC Documentary from N3 on Vimeo.
   3D animation. I think this is really smooth and suits the topic.
2. Dois Amores, Duas Pátrias (Two Countrymen, Two Lovers) (2014)
   Caribe Productions, PortugalTitle Sequence Documentary "Dois Amores, Duas Pátrias" from lebigode+ rgb/cmyk research lab on Vimeo.
   Collage animation. This animation was made to feel fun, it mimics the feeling of a scrapbook to create familiarity. 
3. Asthma Education (2019)
   DressCode, USAAstraZeneca / Educational Artwork from Chris Carboni on Vimeo.
   2D. I like the visual style on this and the camera shots. The shots feel colour coded to signal health changes. The textures are fun and add life to the blocks of colour.
4. Science World (2016)
   Polyester Studios, Canada.Science World: How do you stop mosquitos from spreading disease? from Polyester Studio on Vimeo.
   2d. The textured digital brushes bring in the appeal of old children's illustrations and faded texts. I like the link between narrative and visual choices.
5. Things I thought as a Kid (2017)
   Tendril, BrazilStuff I Thought As A Kid from Tendril on Vimeo.
   3d Model animation. I like the abstract shapes used to simplify the models and rigging. 
6. DHHS Extreme Heat (2019)
   Jumbla, AustraliaDHHS - Extreme Heat from Jumbla on Vimeo.
   Traditional 2d animation. I picked this for the interesting way it is all one long camera movement through the piece. It flows well. 
7.  The South African Banknotes That Tell a Story (2019)
   Half-Asleep Chris, UK
   Stop Motion. I really enjoyed the playfulness of this storytelling style. I picked it for it's clear visual tie ins with the narrative.
8. Animated Shark Facts (2018)
   Facts In Motion, Germany
   2D. The style of this (strong simple shapes, digital cut out style animation) is popular with a lot of info graphics used today. I chose this because it uses sound well. 
9. Fun Facts! (2016)
   Cartoon Network, USAFun Facts! from Eli Orth on Vimeo.
   2d. I like the use of symmetry to create a cohesive visual narrative. 

10 ) Fora Spaces "SOHO" (2019)

Niceshit, Barcelona

History of Soho. Graphic style. Completed in five weeks. I really like the bright colours that relate to the vibe of the history.

Stop, Look, Listen

10 Public Service Animations

1. Japan Help PSA (2011)
   IAMSTATIC studios, Canada.Japan Help PSA from IAMSTATIC on Vimeo.
   I picked this for the strong imagery and clear visual language. It is a 3D modelled animation.
2. Moment of Clarity- Substance Abuse PSA (2019)
   Post Office Studio, Mumbai
   Moment Of Clarity - Substance Abuse PSA from Post Office Studios on Vimeo.
   Digital 2D animated. I picked this for the simple shapes and design. 
3. Candy Factory (Tabacco PSA) (2013)
   Screen Novelties, USACandy Factory -PSA from Screen Novelties on Vimeo.
   Stop Motion. I like the toy-style approach to make it appeal to kids.
4. Tin Man PSA - American Heart Association (1970)
   Myron Waldman, USA
   Traditional 2D animation. Utilising well known characters to draw the viewer in to a depressing topic and highlighting the need to be grateful for your health and aware of the damage we may do. 
5. Bano Nayi Soch - Sexism PSA (2017)
   Totem Creative, IndiaBano Nayi Soch from Totem Creative on Vimeo.
   2D animation. I like the paper texture they use to make the digital colouring softer without taking away from the strong shapes. 
6. Narcolepsy PSA (2015)
   GenIUS Orbit Inc. USA/ChinaNarcolepsy PSA (Chinese Version w/ ENG Sub) from GeniUs Orbit inc. on Vimeo.
   2D. The bright colours and playful music re-brands a misunderstood and demonised (as laziness) disorder as inoffensive.
7. Great Team (2017)
   Natalia Serrano, USAGreat Team | PSA from Natalia Serrano on Vimeo.
   Mixed Media animation. I like the use of real photos and authentic narrative to make it appeal as more human. 
8. Donate a Book (2012)
   Hlumi Tlala, South Africa.Donate a Book PSA from Hlumi Tlale on Vimeo.
   Stop motion. Local PSA. I like the simplicity. It is not the most polished example but shows how animation is known to be effective at making messages more entertaining for the public.
9. Monsters in the Closet (Domestic Violence) (2012)
   Block&Tackle, USAMonsters in the Closet from Adam Gault on Vimeo.
   Collage and 2D. I picked this one for the conceptual character design.
10. Childline (2013)
    Buck, UKChildLine: First Step from Buck on Vimeo.
    2D animation. I picked this one because the timing of the scenes to text is perfect and the colours suit the mood.

Who's Who?

Six Practitioners:

1. Francis Glebas - Storyboard Artist
   He has worked for many companies but most notably Disney for the preproduction of Pocahontas, Aladdin, Treasure Planet and Hercules. Another major animation company he has illustrated storyboards for is Blue Sky Studios for some scenes in Ice Age 4.
   Pocahontas was a turning point for Glebas' work, as the director challenged him to evoke more emotion through his expressions and shapes.
    
2. Akiko Takase - Character Designer
   Prior to achieving key animation roles in several projects (for example the series Free! and the film A Silent Voice), Takase debuted her carer as the character designer for the Violet Evergarden series. Character design was an effective stepping stone for Takase's career as it allowed her to demonstrate her creative skills and get her name all over the series. Her attention to detail and world building skills are apparent in the fact that all the characters in the crowd scenes are individually designed in order to fit in with the rich opulence of the world setting. Takase has worked primarily for Kyoto studios.
    
3. H. R. Giger - Concept Artist
   Already an established artist, Giger's concept work for the Alien movie would become the highlight of his career. His illustration style is dark and evocative. Since the large body of work created for the alien franchise, Giger moved on to creating album art until his death in 2004. Alien was the only film he worked on but the overall aesthetic and mood of the sci-fi film could be largely attributed to his work.
    
4. Sihanouk Mariona - Character Animator
   Having taught an intensive animation programme in the 2000's, Mariona went on to have a varied career in the industry, working namely for Cartoon Network/Adult Swim and Starburns Industries. He specialises in stop motion character animation. Over the years, he has taken on director roles and is currently the lead animator on Robot Chicken.
    
5. Christian Ibarra - Model Making
   Ibarra has worked on many projects as a model maker and fabricator; for instance, he constructed the wire armatures for Disney XD's holiday stop motion promos for Ducktales. He went on to sculpt the main character in the Hasbro Play Doh commercial and taking on many other roles such as prepping sets and rigging the characters in Lego Batman (DVD Originals) for flying. Currently, he is working on his personal portfolio while being the assistant animator for Supermansion (season 3) by Sony Crackle.
   
6. Kazuo Oga - Background Artist
   Famously known for his background paintings in many Studio Ghibli films (Howl's Moving castle, Ponyo, Spirited Away, etc) Oga has a rich career in background painting. Having worked for a multitude of production companys (Studio Ghinli, MadHouse, Warner Bros, Production I.G, etc) Oga has repeatedly achieved art director roles in other films/series which allowed him to also go on to direct a very personal piece about mountain farming life. It is his success that permitted him to get funding for his personal project.