So.

In response to a direct quote that I did myself just over a month ago:

"4.3 GB downscaled to a measly 32 MB. Why? It had to be quick-time, and I was having SO much trouble and spending SO much time trying to find a nice balance between quality and file size.

Unfortunately, nothing compared to the final in the end. Even though I had to render it in standard resolution, which was quite a shame as I had optimized the textures and lighting for HD playback, which is based on the development of Crysis / Fable 3 (the look of which we were going for,) high res textures, looking awesome, with low poly models.

It really is a shame, really. It's obviously too late to do this now, but the animation is also quite bad, I'm not pointing any fingers there, but long story short I should have corrected it, but I rushed the render to try and get it finished on time, and still managed to overrun slightly.


So, how's this experience been?

Fairly good. I enjoyed working with everyone on the team even though at certain points the workmode just died completely, even in times of desperation work wasn't getting done, leaving me to get more work done. At least I know now, there's no way in hell, that I'm EVER

EVER

EVERRR

EVERRRR

EVARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRr

going to leave a project like this till the last couple days again. It takes far too long to make sure everything is perfect, especially when you're working in a group.

For future reference Mr.Litchmore, be more boss, be less friend, otherwise, nothing get's done and you get the blame.

All in all, I hope we get a decent grade."

As I said, due to the fact that we left it to the last minute to actually DO the work (excluding research and idea generation and so forth) when problems arose, I simply did not have enough time to correct them. I didn't have time to manage, to tweak, to make things as best as possible. I simply had to settle for however it looked. This is something I completely want to avoid, as I want the best possible grade. I might be the only one wanting it at this stage, as my team members are awesome but have no own will to work to the best that they can do. Only if I push them, which is something I'm going to try and do more of.

Submission must be on Friday 25^th March no later than 4pm.
It is suggested to back up your work on a disk as well, in case anything was to go wrong.

Week 1

Whole cohort
Introduction to unit
Show examples of student and industry work
Discuss equipment to be covered in unit.
Discuss 3D camera principles and how these will be applied in the unit.
In the afternoon split them into groups of 2 then groups of 5.
Gareth Munden – All day
Alex Hulse – all morning
Steve Crocker – all morning

SAME WEEK
1/2 cohort am – ½ pm
Morning – Practical on lighting
Afternoon – Replicate lighting in digital packages.
Gareth Munden – All day
Alex Hulse – all morning
Steve Crocker – all afternoon

Groups time-tabled to shoot work over next 2 weeks
Gareth Munden – All day
Alex Hulse – all morning

Week 2
Thursday
Gareth Munden – All day
Alex Hulse – all morning

Week 3 - At this point in time, this is where we actually are even though we've pretty much just started the unit. Since the hand in of the last unit, we've had almost 2 1/2 weeks without any structured lessons / introduction to the brief. Of course, this does not excuse the fact we haven't done anything for 3 weeks. So, from this point forward, we need to start working.
Thursday 4th
Gareth Munden – All day
Alex Hulse – all morning

Week 4
Digitisation of content – start editing on Final cut and Premiere.
Wednesday 9th
Thursday 10th
Gareth Munden – All day
Alex Hulse – all morning

Week 5
Introduce students to camera tracking in Maya
Wednesday 16th
Thursday 17th
Steve Crocker – all day.
Alex Hulse – all day

Week 6
FORMATIVE
Wednesday 23rd
Thursday 24th
Steve Crocker – all day.

Week 7
Lighting/Shadows
Wednesday 2nd March
Thursday 3rd
Steve Crocker – all day.
Alex – all day

Week 8
Render/Output workshop
Wednesday
Thursday
Gareth Munden – all day
Alex – morning.

Week 9
Summative hand in: No later than 4pm Friday 25^th March 2011
Group blog – embed their clip.

Unit Introduction.

This unit provides students with basic skills in the area of post production operations and gives them an understanding of post production technology, as well as a critical appreciation of the craft of editing.

Building on their knowledge of filmic language and narrative developed in the first level of the course, students learn about the fundamentals of screen continuity and timing. Students will be introduced to editing software, basic editing, compositing, special effects and audio functions.

The structure of this brief will be in three main sections.

· Film production and editing techniques - How we make the film, how we decide on certain shots, knowing our limitations within the actual hardware and filming methods that we use.

· 3D compositing techniques - Techniques used to mix live action with CG. Green screen? Purely 3D parts?

· Formatting requirements of Broadcast output - Correct format for audience? E.G TV = 25 FPS. Is it correctly encoded for optimum data rate? Minimal quality loss etc.

Through a series of lectures and workshops you will be introduced to the theoretical and practical interrelation of film production, editing, post production and visual effects;

In the first few weeks you will be encouraged to form groups and assemble from live action footage a short piece designed to be integrated with 3D elements. You will be introduced to essential editing techniques to structure your narrative and will be encouraged to identify suitable material to successfully present your 3D content.

In the middle section of the unit you will be introduced to the skills and techniques necessary to successfully integrate 3D content.

The last few weeks of the project will concentrate on developing your editing techniques as well as utilizing the effects available to you on your compositing software. You will also be introduced to industry workflow practices such as filing conventions and formatting requirements for broadcast content.

Assessment Criteria

A1: Understand the role of postproduction in the animation production process.

B1: Be able to analyze, evaluate and select component assets from a variety of sources.

C1: Understand and apply editing techniques and conventions to competently structure video narrative

D1: Perform basic editing, compositing, special effects and audio functions

E1: Have a thorough understanding of the file convention and formatting requirements of broadcast output.

• The finished piece demonstrates a thorough understanding of the role of postproduction in the animation production process. (A1)
• Demonstrates competency in basic editing, compositing, special effects and audio functions. (B1, D1)
• Demonstrates the competent use of editing techniques and conventions to structure the video narrative competently. (B1, C1)
• The finished piece demonstrates an understanding of the file convention and formatting requirements of broadcast output. (E1)

In short, all these aspects must be touched upon for the best possible outcome (if done well of course :P)

- Understand how lighting and colour affect the appearance and mood of an environment.
- Reflection upon, and analysis of, individual performance in a group context.
- Analysis and replication of a real environment of implementation of a designed environment using 3D visualization software.
- Build a computer generated environment, using modelling texturing, lighting and character interaction to a consistent visual aesthetic.
- Contribute successfully to a collaborative visual aesthetic.

Colour - Self explanatory. Why are the colours we're using there in the first place? What relevance do they have to the scene. What effects do they have on the environment, as well as the mood and atmosphere of the environment. How will colour help us to convey specific mood changes / atmospheric effects as well as how it could be used to indirectly link symbolism.

INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION. MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS AWARE OF WHAT THEY CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE GROUP AS IT WILL CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS YOUR FINAL GRADE. BEING SAID, DO NOT TRY TO STEAL OR CLAIM SHARED IDEAS AS ONES OWN. THIS IS AN ASSESSMENT CRITERIA!

What is the purpose of light? Both literally and how it affects an environment / mood of a character / environment. How can we use light to correctly convey various viewpoints of the audience? How can we use light to portray a sense of isolation / suspense / power / beauty?

Implied animation? Needed? Used?