Art of:
Project brief and my decision.......... 1 Audience................. 2 Research............... 3 and 4 Visual reference........... 6 Thumbnails............ 8, 9 and 10 Concept Art.......... 12 Matte Painting......... 14 Storyboard........... 16 Script......................18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 Animatic.................. 24
Production Art........ 26, 27 and 28 Digital set........ 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 Rigging and skinning........ 37, 38 and 39 Pre-Viz........ 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 and 46 Still renders from film........48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55
Project brief In response to one of the scenarios presented to you at time of briefing, you are required to produce a complete 3D animation that demonstrates creatively your ability to interpret, transcribe and represent complex ideas in engaging and dynamic ways. Your final animation should demonstrate clearly your creative methodology as established by your Year 1 curriculum, i.e. preproduction (production design and art direction via concept art and the structuring of time-based narratives via storyboarding and pre-visualisations), production (modelling, UV layout, texturing & lighting, and animation), and post-production (compositing, digital editing, sound design, publication and promotion).
My decision After being given our brief we received three topics, from our client Claire, in which we were to base our revision animation on. The three topics that were given to use were the carbon cycle, the plant growth cycle and the cardiac cycle. After Claire had gone into detail on each of the topics, I decided to choose the plant growth cycle to base my animation on, specifically bee pollination.
Audience How animation is able to help students learn and retain information for longer periods of time While researching how animations are able to benefit students and their learning I came across this website: https://www.cgpundit.com/animation-in-education/. It explains how using animation in the education of students have been proved to show that both the visual and verbal communication in animation has allowed for students to retain information for longer periods of time. This is as long as the animation is designed well and that the educational aspects are portrayed correctly. It also goes on to talk about how animation encourages feedback between students and further questions and communication between the students and teachers. The animation used in education can also effect the student's future and career path by either making the students more interested in the topic shown or by showing them what could be produced if they went into a creative career. The website also speaks about the benefits that educational animations have on primary and secondary school students. For secondary school students they speak about how it can help to motivate students in class and how teachers can use it in presentations in order to keep their student's attention. The students that will watch the animation will be in years 7 and 8 which means that they will be between the ages of 11 and 12 years old. In order to look further into my target market I decided to find out how long their attention span is able to last to see whether they would be able to concentrate and maintain interest in the animation while it is being shown. After looking at a variety of websites I have found that the average attention span for a 12 year old is around 20 minutes. I find this believable and found that this information benefits me as it is very likely that the student will be able to focus on the animation.
I then did some further research into what animated films have been the most successful and found that films such as Frozen (2013) Inside Out (2015), Zootopia (2016), Toy Story 3 (2010), Up (2009) and Finding Nemo (2003) were all very successful and appealed to my target age range of 11 - 12 year olds. This will influence my animation's character design and style.
Research I looked into different types of flowers bees pollinate and the different features that are common among them. I found that: • • • •
The flowers are brightly coloured in order to attract the bees The centre of the flower is visible making it easy for the bees to reach its centre and collect the pollen from the flower's anther's (male reproductive organ) A lot of the flowers grow in groups or are surrounded by other flowers of the same type A lot of the flowers have leaves surrounding them
Research Insect pollination: Flower characteristics: •Pollen is bigger, sticky or spikey to stick to insect bodies •Stigma is sticky so that when insects brush past it, the pollen from them sticks to it •The plants bear sticky, sweet nectar to attract insects •Stamens are inside the flower so that insects will go into the flower, brush past the stamens and pick up the pollen •The flower's petals are brightly coloured and scented to attract insects
Fertilisation: 1.Pollen is transferred onto the stigma by insects or the wind 2.A tube known as 'The pollen tube' begins to develop and grows through the style 3.The pollen tube grows in the ovary, stopping at the ovule 4.The nucleus (containing DNA/ genetic material) from the pollen travels down the pollen tube 5.Pollen nucleus fuses with the nucleus of the ovule (fertilisation) 6.The fertilised ovule, now called he zygote develops into a seed, then into a fruit
At first, after looking at different flowers to use in the animation I thought that using a sunflower would be quite difficult because of the size of the flower's stigmas and ovaries. I researched into sunflowers and their structures a lot to see whether it would be possible to look at them in detail in the animation and I came across these diagrams. After looking at these diagrams I understand sunflower's structures more and I find it easier to understand myself how sunflowers are pollinated.
Visual reference
Thumbnails
Concept art
Matte Painting
Storyboard
Script
Camera cuts to a CLOSE UP of QUEEN BEE’s face. ACT 1: QUEEN BEE We see:
Okay so let’s move on.
INT – INSIDE BEE HIVE – DAY
Camera shows a LONG SHOT of QUEEN BEE walking over to the labelled sunflower diagram. She then stops to the left of it and looks at the worker bees.
The scene opens with all the bees gathered in the hive in their briefing room. A MEDIUM LONG SHOT is shown with BUZZ in the centre of the screen looking worried. Other bees are shown in the background looking around while waiting.
A MEDIUM CLOSE UP is then used to show her upper body. She then points to the diagram. A CLOSE UP of the diagram is then shown and QUEEN BEE narrates. Her arm is used in the CLOSE UP to point at the different parts of the diagram.
The noise of the QUEEN BEE flying into the room is heard. The bees all quickly look forwards. QUEEN BEE QUEEN BEE
Here is a diagram of a sunflower. This is the type of plant you will all be trying to pollinate. Before you approach
Hello new recruits.
the flower you will need to collect pollen from another Camera switches to a TRACKING CLOSE UP of the QUEEN BEE’s foot. The camera then goes up the QUEEN BEE’s body and shows her face. She then stops and turns to face the camera.
flower of the same type in order for the reproduction to work. In order to collect pollen you will need to go to the sunflower’s anthers, here pollen will be collected on your
QUEEN BEE Today will be your first day pollinating..
legs and body. Once you have collected the pollen you will then travel to another flower. Here you will stick the pollen to the sunflower’s stigma...
Midway through talking the camera cuts to a MEDIUM LONG SHOT to show QUEEN BEE from behind in the centre of the shot, showing the other worker bees behind her.
QUEEN BEE’s arm then points at the sunflower’s stigma
QUEEN BEE
QUEEN BEE
..So I will brief you on what you need to do. Before I
...‘pollen tubes’ will develop from the pollen grain
continue, does anybody have any questions?
which will grow through this part of the flower known as the style...
Camera cuts to a MEDIUM LONG SHOT showing BUZZ in the centre of the screen looking at the other workers around him. QUEEN BEE’s arm then points to the sunflower’s pollen tubes and style.
QUEEN BEE QUEEN BEE
It’s okay Buzz, you’ll have OldBee1 to help any of you
... and into the sunflower’s ovary where it then stops at this part known as the ovule...
that start to struggle with remembering how to pollinate. The camera then cuts to a close up of OLDBEE1’s face.
QUEEN BEE’s arm then points to the ovary and then moves her arm to point at the plant’s ovule.
QUEEN BEE But I know you will all do great, you just need to beelieve
QUEEN BEE ...The nucleus from inside the pollen grain (the male
in yourself. OldBee1, can you hand out images of the sunflowers to the workers pleeeze?
gamete), then travels down the ‘pollen tube’ where it fuses with the nucleus in the sunflower’s ovary (the female gamete)and a seed
The camera then cuts to a MEDIUM CLOSE UP of OLDBEE1’s face. Then to a MEDIUM LONG SHOT of the back of OLDBEE1’s back with the workers facing him behind his figure.
begins to develop, this is known as
fertilisation.
The camera shows a CLOSE UP of BUZZ’s face.
QUEEN BEE’s arm then points at the pollen tube and shows where the pollen’s nucleus fuses in the plant’s ovary when it fertilises.
BUZZ I can’t wait to pollinate!
The camera cuts to a MEDIUM CLOSE UP of BUZZ with his arm raised. The camera shows a long shot of BUZZ flying off camera. QUEEN BEE Camera cuts to the next scene.
Yes Buzz?
BUZZ This is unbeelievable!..... But im struggling to remember
ACT 2:
it EXT – OUTSIDE BEEHIVE - DAY A MEDIUM CLOSE UP of QUEEN BEE is shown. The camera shows a LONG SHOT of BUZZ as he flies away from the Hive. The camera is TRACKING BUZZ as he flies to the right hand side of the camera towards the sunflowers. Other bees are shown flying around him from the left to the right hand side of the camera and then off camera.
BUZZ
The camera then ZOOMS OUT from the CLOSE UP of BUZZ’s face to show a BIRD’s EYE VIEW of the sea of sunflowers.
Right, so. I need to take pollen from one sunflower BUZZ
to another, then transfer it to the stigma. Then my part is done. But then pollen tubes start to develop from the
It’ll be like finding a bee in a swarm!
pollen grain, they then grow through the style, the pollen tube then grows into the ovary stopping at the ovule. The
The camera cuts to a LONG SHOT of BUZZ while he is still flying.
pollen’s nucleus (male gamete) then travels down the pollen BUZZ
tube?...where it fuses with the sunflower’s nucleus (female gamete in the ovule?...That part is called fertilisation and
I might as well try...
that’s when a seed starts to develop? The camera shows him go from the centre of the camera to the right hand side. Flying off of the camera. The camera then cuts to a CLOSE UP of BUZZ’s face. BUZZ places his hands on his head. The camera cuts to a shot from BUZZ’s PERSPECTIVE, looking up, left and right in search of the two flowers that he needs to pair together. BUZZ Oh this is so hard! How am I going to remember this? I’m so confuzzed already!
The camera then looks down to the sheet in BUZZ’s hand, looking at the image for reference.
BUZZ then looks down at the image he was given of the two flowers that he needs to pair together.
The camera then looks up again and to the left where BUZZ then spots the two flowers, looking at each other.
The camera then cuts to a CLOSE UP of the image from BUZZ’s perspective. The two flowers look beautiful and are looking happily at each other.
The camera cuts to the PERSPECTIVE of the flower as BUZZ lands on one of the flower’s faces. In the shot it shows BUZZ standing on the flower looking towards that camera as though he is speaking to it.
The camera then cuts to a CLOSE UP of Buzz’s face. BUZZ BUZZ
Let’s pollinate!
And I need to find a suitable sunflower! In the shot you can see the flower behind BUZZ
BUZZ BUZZ So now I need to pollinate you?
Thank you OldBee1, its not my usual style but at least I Smell nice... Anyway! Yes, I am stuck like an ant in honey. I can’t remember what I need to do.
While still in the perspective shot BUZZ is shown to roll around on the flower’s face. Pollen is shown to be collecting on BUZZ. The camera, while still in the flower’s PERSPECTIVE view, follows BUZZ as he leaves the flower.
The camera then cuts to a CLOSE UP of OLDBEE1’s face.
OLDBEE1 The camera then switches to a MEDIUM LONG SHOT of BUZZ from the front as he begins to slow down and then stop.
The camera shows a CLOSE UP of Buzz’s face as he taps the top of his head with his arm.
What do you think you need to do Buzz?
The camera shows a CLOSE UP of BUZZ’s face.
BUZZ BUZZ
I think I need to go to the other flower’s stigma?
Oh no... I’m in a sticky situation... I’ve forgotten what to do... Think Buzz! Think!
OLDBEE1 Yes?...
ACT 3:
BUZZ Then that’s my job done!
The camera switches to an OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT from behind BUZZ showing OLDBEE1 as he flies in front of BUZZ, facing him. OLDBEE1 OLDBEE1
Yes it is Buzz. But what happens to the pollen after that?
Are you stuck Buzz? I have to say, I’m loving the outfit.
BUZZ Do I really need to know that? It’s not really that useful
The camera cuts to a CLOSE UP of BUZZ’s face as he speaks.
to me? The camera shows a close up of OLDBEE1’s face.
OLDBEE1 Flowers and other plants are crucial in supporting life on Earth Buzz. We take pollen from flowers and transport the pollen with us to each flower we visit. This helps the
OLDBEE1 That’s exactly right Buzz! That is called fertilisation. Once that has happened then seeds start to develop. I Think you’re ready to pollinate these two flowers Buzz.
flowers to reproduce and bear fruit and seeds, both of which are needed in order to sustain life.
The camera then cuts to a CLOSE UP of BUZZ smiling. The scene then fades to black.the televisionthe television
The camera then cuts to a close up of BUZZ’s face.
BUZZ Oh no! I didn’t know that! I’ll try to remember!... I think that...
The camera then shows an image of the sunflower diagram which was shown to BUZZ by the QUEEN BEE.
BUZZ ...once the pollen is on the stigma, the pollen tubes then develop from the pollen grain and grow through the style, the pollen tubes then also grows through the ovary, stopping at the ovule. The nucleus from the pollen, which is the male gamete, then travels down the pollen tube where it fuses with the sunflower’s nucleus in the ovule.
The camera then cuts to a CLOSE UP of OLDBEE1’s face.
Animatic
Production art
Beehive
Tree
Sunflower
Digital set
Wireframe modelUnlit model
Untextured model Textured model
Wireframe model
Unlit model
Untextured model
Textured model
Digital model
Digital mode Digital model
Digital model
Digital model
Digital model
Rigging and skinning
Pre-Viz
Still renders – From film