From Script to Screen- First Script Draft

  The first draft of my "Script to Screen" story. No title at this moment, this is still something in process, but hopefully will have one very soon.

"From Script to Screen... by Kimberley Davis on Scribd

From Script to Screen - Storyboard Acts 2 and 3

  The finished version of my sketched out storyboard, some of the shots may be changed at a later date. Like the first act, it seems my sketching becomes more detailed the more I do.

    Act 2

     Act 3

Character Design Lesson 3 - Creatures and Monsters

   Following on from the previous design lesson, today was about animals and monsters. We looked at how animals and humans have similar skeletal structures, what the function are of the different muscular groups, their traits and how animals adapt to their surrounding.

   So to gain a bit more of a understanding, we was assigned two animals to draw and research. Also, how they are able to survive in their environment, and what makes them either a predator or a herbivore. I got given polar bears and otter, we could try and blend them if we wanted, but I enjoyed studying them more.

When it comes to monster/ creature creation, all design are influenced by real animals. So, after looking at some monsters from films, we was given an environment to create our own hybrid. We had to think about how they moves, what they eat, would they have weapons/ camouflage, etc. I got given an aquatic world and firstly came up with the following:

A creature that buries it body in the sand/ attaches itself to rock, and uses its seaweed like tentacles to bait small fish. Once in the reef, they would wrap around the fish and close up to absorb it. The antennae help in navigating around the sea bed, and the legs/ head would retract when a predator was close. 

   In talking to my tutor, a new design came up. As the creature was quite heavy, it would need more study legs to travel, also meaning it would be quite slow. The reef tentacles would be better if they closed individually, trapping the fish in a large cage. When it comes to the disguise, it would need to have a more rock like appearance, otherwise it would be too easy to spot. Following these ideas, the next drawing came about. 

Maya Lesson - Animation Principles

    Using Maya, this lesson focused on placing the animation principles in a 3D format. This lesson was focusing on timing in Key frames, easing in and out, squash and stretch, and secondary animation.

 Slowing In and Out

 The pendulum works by using easing in and out, this decrease in movement happens when the energy that keeps the swing going lessens. This animation was 200 frames, starting with placing the basic movements, and placing overhangs to give the pendulum it's speed. The frames start at intervals of 12, decreasing down to 4's. We then used the Graph Editor to smooth out eh curves and make a more realistic swing.

  Secondary Animation and Overlap

 The chain works by placing secondary animation in links 2, 3 and 4. This was made a lot quick by copying the previous key frame co-ordinates onto each of the link individual attributes. Then going back to the graph editor, we separated the curves (so they wasn't overlapping) to give that secondary animation. 

   Squash and Stretch

  To make the Toadstools bounce, we used the rig created created for this exercise. Previously all our animations have been on 200 key frames, this one was placed on 20. Using this rig means we won't make any mistake with he other coordinates. Using the Translate Y, we placed the basic key frames for the bounce. Then using the Ctrl curves above and below the toadstool, we placed new coordinates to give the squash and stretch motion. Once the curves was smoothed out in the graph editor, we added a infinity cycle so the toadstool will continue to bounce for 200 frames.

  The Bouncing Ball

   

 After all this, we placed  all the above principles together and created the bouncing ball animation. This one was a little more involved, starting on 25 frames and using mainly the Translate X and Rotate XYZ, afterwards going to the graph editor we have to made one side linear to give a faster drop. This animation involved placing hang overs so to create a much more dynamic drop, a stretch on the bounce up and a squash on the landing. Easing in and out, timing and squash was the main principles used.

From Script to Screen - Storyboard 1

   So far, I have managed to work out the shots needed for the first act of the animation/ animatic. This is just a first sketch, and once settled on the correct shots, a more permanent storyboard will be made. I've noticed that my first sketches are very loose and suggestive, but as I warm up they become much more detailed.

   Act 1

Character Creation Lesson Homework - Anthropomorphism Objects

    After our last character design lesson, we was assigned the task of giving objects life. Anthropomorphic objects would often be seen as a sidekick, but they need there own personalities and presence. Each of us was given a room in a house, and from there where experiment with how to give some of the items found expression. I got given a Home Gym, and come up with the following:

Kettlebells, Running Machine and Skipping Rope

Weightlifter

Deadlift and Exercise Bike

Small Leg exerciser and Stepper

From Script to Screen - Theatre Concept Art

The finished concept art for my theatre. This took quite some time and although I can see some improvement, environment art is something that I aim to work on more. 

Adobe Premier Lesson 2 - Colour Lumetri , Blending, Masks and Matte Keys

    The lesson today was focusing on colour correction, blend modes and masks in Adobe Premier. Adobes Premier is a film software that can knit scenes together, create effects an change aspects required.

     Colour Lumetri

 Colour Lumetri is the manipulation of colour using basic correction, tone, saturation and curves.

The second video was the same as the first but in black and white, it was then colour matched with the first and the shadows, mid-tones and highlights altered by the wheels under colour match. the aim is to try and match then as much as possible

End Results

 Blend Modes

  Flowing this, we placed two videos in the time time line and used blend modes. These blend modes place one video over the other, adding the desired effects. for out video, we had to place bubbles onto the first video, the first was realistic and the second more cartoon. then it was a case of playing with scale, rotation and and opacity. My blend layers was Vivid light and colour dodge.

   Masks

For the next task, it as time to play with masks to blend two videos together. Again this was done on the top video us the mask layer and pen tool, then inverted to get what we wanted in the right place.

The heart was done using the Pen tool.

Now we can use the masks above to place multiples moving images on one picture.

    Adding Track Matte Keys

To place a animation over the top of videos, we use Matte Keys. The black and white animation was made by Photoshop, then transferred into Premier. Place both of them onto the tracks, we select the video footage and then go into the Effects menu. Here we go into Keying and click on add Track Matte Key which is then placed over the footage. In the Matte Key menu, we change the Matte to the track  we want, and change composite to Matte Luma. Thus gives us the following composition:

The screen of the Matte Keys

From Script to Screen - Final Story Outcome, Logline and Premise

  

   Going over the story one last time, and with a few more talks with my tutors, I feel I have made some more final decisions on the story and have come to a more solid outcome. Now it's time to start thinking about the concept art of the theatre so to get everything in the right place, and then storyboard. 

   Premise

Retired bomb disposal expert takes on a new job as a janitor at the local theatre, comes across a bomb and chaos ensues.

  The Log Line

Bill, a retired bomb disposal expert takes on a new job as a janitor at the local theatre, his dog comes across an unexploded bomb. Bill tries to get rid of it before it explodes, keeps coming across problems, only to discover it was a prop.

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Finalised Story – “Boom”*

*Title in Process.

** BDE means Bomb Disposal Expert.

ACT 1

-        -  BDE starts working as a new janitor for the local theatre, dog happily chewing on toy/ bone in background,

-        -  BDE mopping floor, notices sword by prop box.

-        -   Pulls out photo of him and bomb disposal squad buddies/ reminisces about received local award at this theatre for service to bomb disposal.

-       -   Dog stops chewing on toy, get up and starts sniffing around.

-       -   Dog goes over to prop box and starts digging though.

-       -   BDE looks up and notices dog rummaging, calls dog over.

-       -   Dog returns with something in mouth, BDE tries to retrieve item but dog resists.

-       -   Game of tug starts, dog very excited.

-       -   BDE managed to get item, on inspections realises it an unexploded hand grenade.

-       -   Dog excitedly jumps up, trying to get bomb back.

-       -   BDE moves it away, but dog catches pin in mouth.

-       -   Dog stands before BDE with pin in mouth.

-       -  Dog swallows pin, seeming pleased with self and jumping around.

-       -   Bomb starts ticking.

ACT 2

-       -   BDE starts to panic and looks around.

-       -   Decides to throw bomb towards back of theatre, reading to run.

-       -   Dog bounds past happily, retrieves bomb and brings it back.

-       -   BDE goes to grab bomb; Dog runs off thinking it’s a game.

-       -   In chase, dog knocks over the water bucket of soapy water and mop.

-       -   BDE slips along and crashes into costume rack/box.

-       -   Dog comes back warily; BDE quickly grabs dog and get bomb back (Wearing Bomb disposal hat)

-       -   Bomb ticking louder.

-       -   BDE sees open hatch in stage floor.

-       -   BDE runs over and throws bomb down.

-       -   BDE tries to close hatch but wont move, hinge holding door open.

-       -   BDE quickly grabs prop sword, swings sword at prop and breaks (the sword is wooden).

-       -   Hatch suddenly slams shut.

-       -   BDE then runs and hides behind theatre seats for cover, dog jump happily after him.

ACT 3

-        -  Nothing happens, BDE peers behind the chair.

-       -    BDE creeps up to the hatch, listening.

-       -   Uses the broken sword to flick up the hatch, slowly lean over the hatch confused.

-       -   “BOOM”

-       -   Massive cloud of Glitter/power paint whooshes up, covering BDE’s face.

-       -   Dog back in prop box, as it jumps out knock out box.

-       -   On box, Prop “powder paint/ glitter bombs”

-       -   Still leaning over hatch, BDE looks at dog.

-       -   Dog has new bomb in mouth.

-       -   Ticking starts again.

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   Step outline/ Treatment

Act 1

Scene starts with BDE mopping the floor, whistling happily. Dog in the background chewing on a toy and rolling around.  BDE stand up straight, wipes forehead and notices the sword by the prop box, he reaches into his back pocket for his wallet, and looks at a photo. The photo is a picture of himself when he was younger with his bomb disposal squad buddies, smiles as he reminisces.  Whilst this is happening, the dog grows bored of its toy, gets up and starts sniffing around, going over towards the prop box. Dog excitedly starts scuffling around in the box, the BDE hearing the noise snaps out of his daydream and calls the dog over. Dog comes bounding over with a ball shaped item in it mouth, making little jumps around his feet. BDE gets hold of item in its mouth and tries to pull. The dog resists, and pulls away whilst the BDE still has hold, causing a small game of tug. once retrieved BDE inspects the item, dog whining happily thinking he is going to throw it for him. BDE shocked when realises it a bomb, then relieved when realises its not active. Growing bored of waiting, the dog jumps back up pushing the BDE expert back a bit. As BDE throws arm out with the bomb, dog catches pin in teeth, coming to land back on its paws. Dog smiling happily at BDE with pin, the BDE goes to grab it but the dog swallows it, barking and running off. Bomb starts to tick in his hand, BDE looking at bomb and panic starts to set in

Act 2

BDE starts looking around, panic evident in his movements. Not thinking straight, he throws the bomb to the back of the theatre/ stage, readying himself to run. The dog runs past, tongue hanging out to fetch the bomb. Dog come running back with the bomb in its mouth, BDE goes to grab it again but dog bends down shaking head. as BDe goes to grab it again, Dog turns and runs off. BDE gives chase across the stage (a little slower due to injured leg), the dog sprinting ahead knocks over the bucket and mop, causing water to go everywhere. The BDE not paying attention, legs get caught up in mop and slips on the water, falling headfirst into the costume rack and knocking it all down. BDE is still, dog sneaks over, prepared to bolt. When dog is close enough, BDE launches up and grabs dog (BDE now wearing a bomb disposal hat). Finally getting the bomb again, BDE notices the open hatch door towards the back of the stage. Leaping up to his feet, the dog sulking in defeat, he runs over and throws the bomb down the hatch. The hatch door won’t budge. Hatch release hinge is stuck. BDE remembers the sword, whistling for the dog to grab the sword. Dog does and brings it back; BDE takes the sword and swings it at the hinge holding open the hatch. The sword splinters as it made of wood and just a prop. BDE is in disbelief/ shock, the hatch suddenly slams shut. BDE drops the sword and runs for cover behind theatres seats, dogs following happily. BDE and closing his eyes and sticking fingers in ears, waiting for the explosion

Act 3

After a short movement, nothing happens, confused the BDE looks over the seat, dog looking around the other side. BDE comes out from hiding, sneaking towards the hatch. Picking up the broken sword, BDE uses it to flick up the hatch and then shields away. Still nothing happens. BDE gets down on hands and knees and sneaks forwards, confused as he looks down into the cellar. BDE breathes a sigh of relief, then “BOOM”. Paint/ glitter flies up thought he open hatch, covering his face and shoulders. Shocked, BDE blinks. Meanwhile, Dog is back in the box scrambling around, BDE looks up just as dog leaps out and knocks out a small box with it. The box reads “Party Glitter/Paint Bombs”, BDE looks around at dog. Dog holding another bomb in mouth, the ticking starts again. BDE faces falls and shot zooms in.  

Sword Concept Art and Production

   As the story is reaching its final point, the sword is made of wood and snaps, so its design is a bit beaten a worn as its just a practise/ prop sword. For the concept, I felt it best to sketch a few different styles to see which would fit the profile best. I decided on a broadsword, this may be for a play in production

Sword Concepts

Painted Concepts

Cartoon version

First Finished Design

Altered Finished Design 

  The first version of the finished sword had more wood showing through the peeling paint, but I thought its best to remove it as I want the BDE to think its metal.

Character Design lesson 2 - Props and Buildings

   Ending our day with character design, this lesson was all about props and buildings. Like organic characters, props should have a personality of their own that fits the character, also the importance of the items functionality. The prop should be appealing to look at, and should be visibly linked to the character in question. I got given the category of Fantasy wizards, we could makers sketches of characters as well for the equipment designs.

   For wizards, the main things that came to mind was items such as books, staffs, magic, crystals balls etc. Being a magic entity is not the only thing that could affect the items being used, but also the type of magic, such as dark, fire and earth magic.

These rules also apply to buildings, I started thinking about natural forms of magic and went from here.

A house infused with earth magic

A Sky house with a Dragon. 

A miserable wizard in his tower.

A broken and neglected Wizard home.

Life Drawing Session 6

   Returning back to life drawing after some time off proved to be a little difficult, I seemed to have gotten rusty. The first sketches are not my best thus far, even though to my last ones I could tell how out of practise I was. Our tutor encouraged us to think more about form in this session, this means to thy and understand the model more in 3D rather than just using outlines. Using colour help a lot in this, and by looking at some more expressionist style artists, started to loosened up towards the end. This session wasn't so much about gaining proportions, rather more about gaining gesture, and had groups of 10, 15 and 20 minute sessions.

5 Minutes

10 Min - Single Line Drawing

5 Minutes

5 Minutes

15 Minutes

15 Minute

15 Minute