P2 - Creating briefs and Storyboards Unit 67 – 3D Animation P2 - Creating briefs and Storyboards

Lesson aims All: Understand and complete an animation brief, schedule and storyboard. Launch assignment 4. Most: Will start on creating models and/or rigging ready to animate. Some: Start creating your animation.

Scenarios Pick either scenario 1 or 2 below. Then complete task 1 and 2 based upon that scenario. Scenario 1 You are an apprenticeship games designer working for a games developer in the East Midlands. Your manager has asked you to plan and create an animated short trailer, advert or cut scene for your currently in production game. Scenario 2 You are an apprenticeship games designer working for a games developer in the East Midlands. 3D animation is probably best known in the wider world due to the creation of animated films. Now is your chance to create your own Pixar style short film. Using the Pixar’s short film “Luxo Jr.” as inspiration you will create a short film between 20 and 30 seconds using you own designed, modelled and rigged desk lamp character. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G3O60o5U7w

Unit 67 Assignment available at: jamestedder Unit 67 Assignment available at: jamestedder.net>Unit 67>Assignment 2 Task 1 – Due 13th April You will generate ideas and specification documentation for a trailer/advert or cut-scene using 3D animation software which lasts between 20 and 30 seconds. It must match one of the scenario briefs given and your own specifications. Create your own brief based on the assignment scenario Consider and interpret the brief generating and recording ideas Develop the idea carrying out pre-production planning for that while compiling a comprehensive development log evidencing your creative work. Development materials include storyboards, thumbnail sketches, mood board, legal and constraints. You can use concept art from Unit 69: Drawing Concept Art for Computer Games Task 2 – Due 11th May  Create an animation in Autodesk Maya which lasts at least 30 seconds based on your idea developed in Task 1. You must also log your process using for example, asset management, working environment, tools, animation technique and virtual camera.  Review your own 3D animation production work.

What is a brief? Why should we create one? A written document outlining what you are going to do, the purpose of the project, materials needed and the timescale. Serves as a guiding document throughout the course of the project. Brings clarity and focus to the project. Starting a project without one would be a bit like proceeding to build a house without a blueprint. Designed to help avoid and highlight potential problems\issues

Creating your animation brief Based on your chosen scenario you are going to create a 20-30 second animation. How many frames will you need?(24fps * 30=?) Overview of the concept and story Objectives and goals of the animation Schedule(Set yourself goals and break down the steps needed to complete the animation. Completed by?) Target audience Available materials/required materials(What models and textures do you need?) Overall style/look Finished? What about adding a script, a list of sounds and the software you are going to need

Ideas generation Brainstorming – Mindmap, moodboards, notes Sketches of characters, objects and backgrounds. Pre-visualisation (concept drawings, storyboards)

What is a storyboard? Why should we create one? A storyboard is a graphic representation of how your video will unfold, shot by shot. Define the parameters of a story within available resources and time Organize and focus a story Minimizes the need for revisions to your animation later on Your vision could be shared with others Helps organise stage framing and camera angles. Can be difficult to visuals finished product through just text/brief

Storyboard examples

https://youtu.be/63oSaaM7XXM

Creating your storyboard for a 30 Seconds animation (24fps * 30=?) Beneath each picture, write down notes on what’s happening and optionally include scripted lines. How long is each scene? Your storyboard should read like a comic book. Sketch how each scene will look visually Give an impression of what is happening, which characters are in the scene and what the general framing will look like. Show, don’t tell. Use the storyboard as a test to determine if your story is truly being visualized. Be cinematic. What should stand still and what should move? Should the camera be moving? Make sure it’s logical and coherent. You’re creating a story, so the video should look visually consistent from beginning to end.