Animation Analysis: 8-Bit Trip

I've always been interested in stop-motion, and as this course gradually settles in, I'm going to fully pursue the technique of bringing items to life! Also, alongside this comes my affection for the 8-bit era of gaming, for which I was but a puny little creature without the analytical capabilities of today. Thus, this brings me to Rymdreglage's "8-Bit Trip", a stop-motion/pixilation animation done mainly with Lego blocks that brings back the old retro essence of pixel-gaming. It's smooth, it's colorful, it's vivacious, the animation breaks the boundaries of stop-motion, as well as the plentiful uses of Lego. Although it's just a compilation of animation skits, it does it's job properly as it rejuvenates the style of the late 20th century video art. Plus, the animation is extremely interesting as all these movements are occurring, keeping our minds whimsically occupied with the beauty of stop-motion.

"Rymdreglage - 8-Bit Trip" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qsWFFuYZYI

Game and Character Analysis: Crash Bandicoot

I love Crash. The ever-so-vibrant character Crash was firstly introduced in 1996 by the platform game "Crash Bandicoot", which has sold over 6 million copies on a global scale. The game, among a few others, has introduced the 3D Adventure genre of gaming, supplying the masses with real-time action, dynamic movement of character, and lush and organic environments. Furthermore, Crash Bandicoot as a character has now become a legendary idol of the Retro Era of gaming by embracing simplicity in adventures, which make the game even more enjoyable. With the gradual progression of time (and the consequent releases of games), Crash Bandicoot's control had become more flexible and versatile. For example, during the first installation, Crash could only jump, run, and attack (by spinning), whereas in the second one, he could also crouch, slide, belly-flop, and crawl, giving the player an even more accessible dynamic variety of gameplay. The following game became even more free-form, as different abilities could be uncovered with the game's progression, giving the player an opportunity to create his own play-style. In terms of animation and appearance, Crash's original design had been updated with every consequent game, making his movements more smooth and coordinated (all done with the evolution of platform gaming). The most interesting instance of Crash's animations is his spin attack, which effectively uses motion blur to invoke the illusion of fast movement.

PPP Seminar: Presentation

During this week's PPP seminar, we entered the realm of presentations and public speaking, where one should effectively elaborate upon a new concept in front of an audience. We dissected the works of a successful and efficacious presentation and were given key tips which are to assist us in being concise, informative, and comprehensible during our journey of lecturing. Truth be told, it takes time to build up experience in presenting, and as one goes down that road, tricky moments of stage fright or difficulty during speaking will occur.

However, ironically, the presentation on how to present was quite effective in offering support for our group of animators and future presentors. The main key points of the seminar are written within my sketchbook so that I may reference them conveniently throughout my years of college, and even after, with the hopes that I will remember them (I probably will automatically from so much referencing). Among the most crucial pieces of information we got is the tip to NOT STRESS OUT! If one is properly prepared to address a crowd with a presentation, there should be no stressful impulses as one's thoughts are fully articulated within one's mind. Moreover, the most important factor is enthusiasm. Nobody wants to hear a monotone speaker blabbering on about a topic which is irrelevant even to him/her, so appealing to pathos is mandatory.

During my research, I found a myriad of TED Talks on how to effectively give a speech, as well as tips for presentations. However, most relevant of all is how to open a presentation, as many people struggle with entrances.

"Great Openings and Closings" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyE1Kz0e--0

Who am I? Why am I here? What do I want to learn?

In terms of Personal Professional Practice, we had been assigned several questions which we are to answer in 5 responses.  After all, reflecting on one's self solidifies improvement.

1. Why you chose to study this programme?

- Animation has always been my passion, and through this programme I can fulfill my desire to become an animatior.

- Through this programme I can elaborately develop my skills as an animator, by learning new techniques and augmenting creativity.

- Out of all artistic professions, I find animation the most intriguing; bringing inanimate objects to life through stop-motion.

- An introduction to a plethora of animation software and hardware I have never utilized before, with the hopes of mastering them.

- Improving 2D drawing animation skills, for I am a bit rusty at that department.

2. What do you want to learn during your time on the programme?

- Learn how to utilize different techniques of animation.

- Learn how to socialize with other animators with the hopes of creating a collaborative project.

- Learn how to create puppets for stop-motion through eclectic methods of establishing resources.

- Learn how to think critically and analytically in regards to different animations, learning their techniques and unravelling the hidden symbolic meaning behind them.

- Learn how to exchange ideas with other fellow animators.

3. What skills do you think are your strengths?

- The eclectic use of many sources for animations, stop-motion in particular, for anything can be brought to life.

- The lack of necessity for a script. Most of the times, I develop the plot and animation spontaneously as I go on animating, thinking of the next scene as I animate the current one I’m on.

- The free-form ability to constructively consider criticism of my work by other animators, and dwelling upon it with the hopes of improving my work.

- My philosophical views of existence (existentialism, cynicism, melancholia, stoicism, dualism, etc…) which account for the symbolism within my work that activates an individual’s interpretation, provoking connotative views instead of denotative ones.

- The principle of trial and error; even if I don’t know a technique, I can comprehend it on my own by trying constantly until I get it right.

4. Which things do you want to improve?

- Improve 2D animation drawing techniques – properly using shading, etc…

- Improve understanding of various animation software and hardware that I have never utilized before

- Improve practical analysis of other works, and being able to provide artists with constructive criticism

- Improve understanding techniques of animation, mostly 3D

- Improve being able to work at a constant rate without the tendency to halt the routine.

5. In what ways will you evaluate your progress?

- By presenting my animations and different projects to other students for constructive criticism. According to their thoughts, I will consider whether I’ve improved or not.

- By receiving proper feedback from the course leaders on my development.

- By creating a time-table of past and future works, viewing them simultaneously in order to deduce progress.

- By remembering the effort required to create a proper project previously and currently.

- By referring to grades and evaluations gotten from projects.