I really need to come up with better post titles!
Been slogging away with the puppets today but I think I've managed to make some fair progress. I think that most of the roughs are done by this point — the only puppets left to make are the jumping/running one, the "scary crow" silhouettes and possibly one for grabbing the bug (if we aren't able to re-use one).
Then of course I've got to refine and amend them as necessary — make sure they're articulated properly, fix all the problems, etc.
So here's what I've got so far...
You'd better believe this was the hardest thing I've ever done. It took me four billion years and I think you'll agree that it's the Mona Lisa of the After Effects puppet world. Maybe even the Sistine Chapel.
... seriously though. ;] pretty simple, no articulation (didn't think it needed it). I also composited it onto Jazzy's backdrop, to check the outline thickness:
I'm not quite sure it's reading very well, as the crow and the backdrop are quite dark? I did create an extra layer with a thicker outline that we can use if need be... maybe if the crow was bigger?
I did notice, though, that this backdrop isn't wide enough to fit a 1024x576 canvas — it's only 801 pixels! :S Do you have a larger version, Jazzy...?
The next one is one I've admittedly been avoiding — sounds a bit stupid but I found it quite tricky! I'm still not 100% happy with it — but it's a start.
Biggest problem is the face. It looks really off to me — I think the facial features are too big and are sitting a bit far up the head. I think I need to shrink them and move them down a bit?
And the last one I've been working on is one that, again, I was avoiding because it was awkward — the dreaded forward run cycle...!
Yeah... I think the hair is a bit too crazy... I need to fix that! :S But I finally managed to figure that beak out! Though I didn't reference it directly, I was thinking a lot about the faces in Chicken Run and how the cheeks on those characters moved — must have helped 'cause I think the face is looking a lot better now.
I'm really not sure how well the puppet's going to animate at all — definitely something I'm going to have to test. The poses above are quick mockups — obviously we can spend more time getting the weight and positioning right, it was really just to see if the feet fit onto the body. Sorry about the outstretched foot, I know it looks really awkward (one of the toes is too small!) — I'll definitely have a crack at fixing it soon.
SOULS
Sleep tight ;D
I do have a larger version since the actual psd file was set to 1024 width and I just increased the height. I'll get that to you but it might be a good idea to transfer it via USB in case an email kills the quality. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteWith the comparison to the backdrop, it looks distinctive enough when I first saw it. A thicker outline might be an idea but if you want to try with a bigger crow don't make it too large. I don't really want her to take up too much screen space during this part so also keep her in the lower half of the screen. At this point she's looking at the large amount of carnage compared to her small self and I like it visually wise.
Of course say otherwise if you have thoughts opposing that :)
Not at all a problem Jazzy, sorry, hope I didn't sound as if I was questioning your genius! :P I just saw the background and thought "AHHH PANIC." I did suspect that it may have had something to do with retaining the quality :] I think you're probably right; USB would be the best way to go. I'm in no rush at all, was mostly just testing how the puppet looked.
DeleteI think you're probably right about the crow, she definitely shouldn't be too big - I think part of it could just be that after working so long with the puppet on a white background my eyes are taking time to adjust! :P
No, do question my "genius", it's healthy ;P but it didn't seem that way at all so no worries. I'll get that to you on Thursday ^^
DeleteThat's the beauty of working in a group, isn't it? Having other people to look at your work and give other opinions I mean :] I certainly enjoy that
When the crow is looking behind her, I think it reads well that she's looking "up". If you want to lower the features but really empathise her pupils looking up then that would work too. Because currently her pupils are near central but her head looks tilted back so she's looking up. Either way it will work so try both if you want :)
ReplyDeleteAs for the hair in the front facing scene, I have to rid the Benny Hill theme from my head while I look at this ;P Yeah the hair might be a big crazy. It might suit the madness of the actual scene but not in the way that's suitable I don't think. Just decrease the volume of each hair strand, that might work.
We could animate the crow the same way we did with the animatic. If she's running then we don't need that many in-betweens. Using the keyframes of the legs and feet you've done (which look amazing by the way) might work nicely with the bobbing you used for the animatic running sequence.
Looking at it again, I think the problem is just the size of the face - to me it looks a bit big in comparison to the rest of her head. Great point about the eyes, I'll definitely take that into account and give shifting it down a go. Just to see how it looks.
DeleteHahaha, that soundtrack is pretty infectious!! No I definitely agree with you, to be honest I was so sick of looking at puppets at that point that I didn't spend too long on the hair. Just kind of slapped it on...! Shrinking each strand will definitely work and probably make it look like it's going "backwards" down the head instead of to the side, so I'll definitely do that.
Again, you're right about the animatic! I do think that the way we did it before will probably work, I just tend to worry a bit too much. It's difficult to know how far to extend these sort of things - how much more complex to make them - if you know what I mean?
ahhh it's early my brain no work good
Thanks again for your feedback as always! :D
Oh, one last thing - the face on the front running puppet. How's that look to you? Are you happy with it or is there anything I can do? :D
DeleteI love the face and I don't think you need to change it :]
DeleteSometimes when it comes to getting things done we do need to cheat a little bit. I know you'd rather avoid that idea but sometimes cheating could be the right course in appropriate circumstances. Especially if the result looks great! Because the crow's run in the animatic works and has that sense of awkwardness behind a bird "running". Naturally a crow would fly away from anything so it adds to humour :D
Besides you're not cheating yourself if you cut corners. It's just a matter of when you decide to cut the corner. It's not like you've been slacking on your work now, is it Alex?
Hey Alex another thought sprouted from late day brain time. With your forward facing crow, do you think you could draw her beak slightly open? I think if she's running away then she needs a more exaggerated scared expression, especially after she jumped in the previous scene from the frightening hang glider ;P
ReplyDeleteIgnore this comment if you get it literally after I send it. It's very late in the evening at the moment :]