Week 13 Complete

Stuff for review...

animatic_042109 (10 MB)

Goals Week 12

Down to crunch time. No point in listing the goals now; it's all got to be finished ASAP! Just remember to:

• post anything you can for approval
• keep working on something at all times!
• breathe deeply
  

Week 11 Complete

OK, progress this week. Gantt chart is pretty detailed, although I want to get Myles stamp of approval. New sections to the research paper: Introduction and Cultural Historical drafts. Added animation and SFX to animatic. Created some new storyboard panels. Been busy, but still much to do...

animatic_041609 (7.4MB)
Gantt chart (MS Project 2007 file 343k)

Goals Week 11

• Gantt chart complete
• more research paper
• more storyboard
• style frames
• color storyboard frames
• updates to deliverables
  

Research: Shooting Miniatures Draft 01

Here is a link to the 1st draft of the "Shooting Miniatures" section of my research.

shooting_miniatures_01_DRAFT.pdf (0.2MB)

Goals Week 10

OK, it's no joke time. Lots of loose ends to be tied up over the next 3 weeks.

• complete storyboards
• gather all research materials
• more visual reference materials
• start writing
• time availability chart
• color style frames
• animatic shots>animate
• screen test conclusions
• update book
  

Task List/Visual Script

Here is a copy of my task list and visual script as of 4.2.09.

task_list_01.pdf (2MB)

Week 9 Complete

Progress on the storyboards...finally. Had a burst of four or five thumbnails, and now only one or two more panels should do it. I'll have to make them final quality next week. I also created a task list, a visual script, posted more reference, and made a much more detailed outline for my research paper. A productive week...

preproduction_book_04-02-09.pdf (14.4 MB)

Reference: The Polar Express

In exploring camera angles for "Sugarplums", I came across some good reference in "The Polar Express", directed by Robert Zemeckis.

In this choice for a wide shot, what is interesting to me are the foreground elements, and what they add to the storyline in relation to the background. I have a spot where I need a bridge and this kind of framing could be useful. (click images to view)

Here is a "hero shot" of the train. I'll need one of these as well. What I don't like here is how the train blows by the camera making it difficult to discern detail. My shot will not be as quick since it will be important to establish the train as a primary element rather than something just "passing through" the frame.

This is just an example of a dramatic low horizon angle that lends majesty to the train. I'll want to see if I can incorporate a similiar camera height, if not the exact point of view.

I think the train shots in "Sugarplums" should have the most dynamic camera angles of all the gifts since it represents the apex of the progression of the dream.

The Polar Express. Dir. Zemeckis, Robert. Warner Bros. Pictures, 2004.

Goals Week 9

• task list > send midweek
• more detailed research outline
• research rough draft > sections OK
• storyboard
• more reference materials
• screen test conclusions
• visual script 1st draft
• time availability chart
• animatic scenes > animate