One Last Thing...

With one last thing to do before I officially put this project to bed, I emailed Pedro Ultreras with the link to my video to see what he thought of it, thanking him again for the use of his incredible footage, and just hoping I managed to do his work justice.


This was his reply.

Wow.


Approval from the man himself. Couldn't really ask for more than that. He even wants to meet when I go to New York later in the year, so the added benefit of aiming for the stars with this final project is that I get to make professional contacts?


More than I could have ever hoped for, and a fitting way to end my time at University.


The future is no longer as scary as it once was!

Finished Video

Here she is, the final edit.

Pieced everything together, the footage, the establishing shots, the graphic work, the whole music track, and the animation itself.

Really happy with how it turned out, and proud of my effort. It's something I've achieved on a scale I wouldn't even have attempted had it not been for the time frame of Grad 2, and the fact that it was the very last project.

I tweaked a few things from what I had planned. I added a short title screen after naming the piece "Braving the Beast", which I felt appropriate and relevant to the issue.

I also dropped the second set of title, the ones which state what my idea was. I just didn't like them, they didn't feel right, whether it was the wording or how unnecessary they sounded, they just didn't work for me, and I didn't wanna lose my viewer's attention by including them.

I adjusted the order of editing too, in order to best fit the final music, which started more ambient and soft, but built to a big dramatic crescendo. So instead of showing all the footage, and THEN the shots of my drawing the animation, I mixed them up accordingly, so that when the music gets all dramatic and "dangerous", it suited the video on screen, in this case, talk about the cartels and the danger the migrants find themselves facing.

As I couldn't get the train to move like my original idea, I digitally created a shot that kinda set the scene here instead. Its a panning shot of the train, made by piecing together high quality photos of the actual caridges and then moving them in after effects, which gives the impression of the train used as a timeline canvas, but in a suggestive sense. It serves to just set the scene for the animation that follows, and while I suppose I could have done the whole animation in that manner to recreate my original idea, I didn't want to "blag" it, if that makes sense. I'd rather do a more basic method that was legit, than a fancy one that wasn't, just to keep an idea alive.

I also added end credits based on one shot I got on location, giving a shout out to everyone who helped me, not just in this project (Alex for music, Mr. Ultreras for his footage, and my girlfriend for helping me film and drive me to Healey every day!) but also for Matt and Johnny who have helped me these past 2 years, and guided me towards a better future for myself and my career.

As it stands, I'm happy with the work, but obviously I'm so "into" it by now that I see the many faults in it. It's nothing major that will require further editing or anything, but a few things I don't like, such as the pace of the intro, which seems a little slow (due mainly to the length of the music and me trying to time it right for certain parts), a little disjointed in edits (ie: coming in and out of the animation montage itself), and just general quality, which seems a little rough around the edges (which kinda suits it to a point).

But for all it's faults, I feel good about how it came out, and feel the months and months of research, planning, development and application were well spent. Not that I'd put myself through it again anytime soon, but still. Looking back, it makes me feel even prouder, knowing how hard it was, and how high I aimed. It's certainly set a new standard for myself and my work, something I will aim to take with me, wherever the future might lead me, career wise.

Project Development - A Potential Ending?

I've had an idea.

Just as I open the animation with a bound ribbon that "morphs" if you will, into a bird, symbolizing being unrestricted and tied down, I thought of something that might end the animation too. It was actually while meeting with my peers in the feedback sessions I arranged that someone (Michael) said I ought to think about a nice way to end the animation, rather than have it just fade out, so that's exactly what I've tried to do.

As the animation plays out, the migrating birds begin to disappear one by one. What if the last remaining bird, who I was actually debating whether they should live or die themselves, did in fact live, and flew off to greener pastures, but did so in a way that came OFF the train canvas background?

If I could merge the hand drawn imagery with the digital manipulation of live footage, I could perhaps create the illusion that the bird was flying OUT of the train itself, and away into the distant sky.

Here's a quick sketch to show you what I mean...

I think it would be a creative and fitting end to the animation, something that emphasizes the point of the animation, while at the same time bringing it back into the real world footage ready to be wrapped up as a whole.

Sure, it will need digital means in order to pull off, but I don't feel it violates my original intent of focusing primarily on non-digital means in order to craft an animated tale. It's an EXTRA idea that builds upon what I'll already have created by hand, so in that sense, I feel it works.

And if it doesn't, tough titty. It's a nice idea.

Project Development - Original Music

I wanted everything in this project to be my own, in the sense that no annoying website can say "You have violated copyright by using this audio" blah blah blah, etc.

As my final big assignment, I wanted to do things properly.

Which is why I asked for official permission to use the video footage. And it is also why I knew from the start that I wanted to have my own soundtrack to it too.

I have a few musical friends, but none quite as unique and gifted as one called Alexander Stanton, or if you were to go by his artist name, Major Gubbins.

I approached Alex with the idea of collaborating and coming up with something new and original for a project, and he leapt at the chance.

I told him what I wanted, what kind of vibe I was looking for, and what exactly my project was all about.

And he began working on laying some tunes out for my approval, sample beats that I could listen to and either give the thumbs up, or even down. Not that it ever really came to a thumbs down, but the entire process was a great look at how collaboration on a professional level with a brand new and unique project in mind, would be achieved, and I'm absolutely glad I did it.

My intent was to upload each work in progress as it was produced so you might see the changes that took place each time, and how my ideas and Alex's incredible talent helped shape the potential soundtrack to my project, BUT, unfortunately blogger doesn't allow audio uploads.

So what I'll do instead is to put all the key samples together in one run and make a video instead, so you can see how it came to be. (The key moments in audio production are in my submitted work folder anyway, so you can hear them yourself. Just annoying as I wanted to include everything here, but no drama!)

Below are key dialogue snippets from the emails we exchanged and the conversation we shared in terms of shaping the desired outcome, just for your reference.

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ALEX - Roughly how long does it want to be? What kind of structure do you want it to be, as in do you want it to change a lot, like a song per say, or a repeating chord progression/melody, with less obvious, subtle sweeping changes, (more like an instrumental I guess)? What kind of tempo/pace do you want it and would you want it to get faster/slower? And do you need it to have any moments of silence/climatic interest?

ME - It's kinda tricky at the mo cos i'm still making the animation, so certain things I can't answer exactly. I don't think the whole finished vid will be longer than the length of a normal song, bout 4-5 mins, and will blend the animation with filmed footage of me drawing it, and facts about the issues behind it. 

The video is gonna set the scene, it's going to introduce the viewer to both the issue at hand and also the task, ie: what i'm doing. the shots will show me drawing in the train yard, and eventually build to the animation itself playing. The editing of all the first stuff can be flexible to match any music to make, and a repeating chord would work best here I think, and then when the animation kicks in maybe it should change a little then, if only in slight pace or melody. The story of the animation then plays out, the lone bird flies the sky, joins another, and another, until a whole flock is flying together, a good spot for sweeping music, and find refuge on the back of a whale. The whale then takes them across the sea, until an element of danger is introduced and the sharks begin to attack, at which point the music could get a little dangerous (but nothing too over the top). Eventually the birds are lost one by one, until our lone bird manages to fly free and escape for greener pastures, so a nice uplifting climax would be great, to finally come down soft again, maybe back to the original melody as the final facts play out on screen, and I'm seen walking away from the trainyard to finish.

FIRST SAMPLE SUBMITTED 

ALEX - Here's a quick fading in and out test. It's not very precise, but you get the idea, the fade can be made more/less gradual as to your liking. If that's not what you had in mind, I can always try to come up with something that bleeds into the other music. 

ME - Yeh, see what you mean, maybe it would be easier to start from scratch and come up with something that might sound similar that, like you say, bleeds into the main theme, like a soft prelude/intro to the tune you've made so far. Just thinking, but what if the transition was mainly piano based, ie: had the acoustic slowly fade out (or come to a soft, natural end) while the piano continued alone, changing somewhat in tone/tempo... and then the repeating acoustic riff in the new tune kinda kicked in? Just an idea, probably sound daft, but I suppose it might be worth trying? I'm spending this week planning the part before the animation hits, so if you wanted to try a few things I should have a good idea of the exact length i'd need it to be by next weekend?

2 INTRO IDEAS SUBMITTED

ALEX - Here's the piano/organ intro, but I feel that it may be to grand and not somber enough for what you're wanting. I've been trying to record the intro idea all morning, but I can't seem to make it fit, even though I thought it would, but I have started to think up a more ambient, droning intro that slowly lends into the track.

ME - I really like what you did with Intro #1, how it builds to it's own crescendo, as it makes the silence that follows, and the actual lead in to the proper track, sounds sooooooo awesomely appropriate. Like you thought though, the piano sounds a little too grand, and the organ doesn't really suit the theme of the video, and overall sounds a little too different from the track that follows, where it would work best if they sounded more alike.

Intro #2 sounds very fitting, but is perhaps a little TOO ambient to start, as though it might need more substance. Really like the "Mexican" theme to it though, works an absolute treat. I think this is the one to build on, just need a little more substance, could it be made as "grand" as Intro 1 perhaps? It does begin to build nicely, just perhaps not soon enough, or large enough, if that makes sense? I know I said the main focus is on the animation part, but I still need to draw the viewer in to the plight and issue with the text and video before hand, so may need some strong emotional music to do just that. Love the end to it, the strumming of the guitar just before the main track hits, lovely. And absolutely suitable.

ALEX -  I shall do my best to add a little more substance to the second intro. It'll probably be that I steal what the first intro has and just add some of that to it. Less droning more structure and emotion. 

I'll wait until you've sorted the text and thing before I finish off the intro, cos like you said, it'll help me out timings and feel. But I'll throw some ideas around and send you my efforts.

Also, I was thinking, would it be possible to accredit the music to Major Gubbins? Only cos I've enjoyed writing and recording this music for you that I'd like to do some under the 'MG' title in the future and it'd be nice, with your permission, to show off our efforts on there. Plus, I don't really do any music under my name anymore.

ANIMATIC COMPLETED

ME - Finished the mock introduction mate, it is basically the very rough looking order of how things are going to run before the main animation actually plays. It is made up from video footage (which will change in the final video, but the tone/theme will be the same), typography that sets the scene and informs the viewer about the issue at hand (will remain largely the same as in this test intro), and animated storyboard shots of what I will be filming when on location drawing the images themselves (very rough looking, but framed similar to the intended shots).

Again, sorry for the rough look of the intro, it is really just to flesh out the ideas, visualize the pre-animation footage, and most importantly, provide you with something to work around.

I've included the intro music you made so you can see how and where it might need a little more dramatic weight and substance, even though I know you've been working on "beefing it up" already! I've also allowed the video to "run into" the animation sequence itself, so you can see how I'll be transitioning into it come the final version. I REALLY liked the tense strumming of the guitar at the end before you led into the main track you made, and I feel this could work very well when used with a long, slow zoom INTO the train itself starting to move, and the animation playing thereafter, so feel free to play around and hold it on for a while here. 

Timing wise, I imagine it's fairly accurate to how long the real thing will last, but it can and probably will be tweaked to fit, so it should give you a good idea of the required length/timing. And hopefully, the content and colour scheme help reflect the style and theme I'll be using, like a rural, rustic kind of feel, of which your work so far has suited to a tee anyway.

ALEX - Thanks for sending me this, it's going to really help me out! I'll re-record most of it to help stretch it out and add drama, but I'll keep the ending and general feel of the second intro. As always, Wednesday is recording day, so I'll do my best to have something done for you for then. Other than that is the rest of the music okay. Do you need a more definite ending or are you simply going to fade out?

ME - You mean at the very end of the whole thing? I was actually gonna mention that yeah. If you could allow a little time after the animation has played for me to wrap things up, ie: mention something about the issue, finish with a follow up shot or two, start the credits rolling, etc, that would be great! Would need to be no more than a minute I think.

SAMPLE SUBMITTED

ALEX - ...a very rough, unfinished, unedited version of the more subtle intro. Both intros can be shortened/lengthened and if you like placed in a different part in the mix. They don't have to be intros, they could be outros instrumental breaks etc. I also plan to write a piano melody for this intro (and maybe for the rest of the track too). Nothing's coming to me yet, but I'll keep plugging away at it!

ANOTHER SAMPLE SUBMITTED


ALEX - Was just working on the instrumental, and I shat out this little piano thing. Might be a bit too classical sounding, but potential outro/intro? Maybe. Let me know...


ME - Yes I like where you're going there Sir! You're right about it perhaps sounding a little too classical, but the backbone of something special is definitely there. I think if you manage to combine the two ideas, and work that sexy mexican sounding guitar back into it then we're golden!


ALEX - I'm trying to build up the second intro a bit. More structure and grandeur, but with a bittersweet lair of melancholy. 

I've been listening to Philip Glass for inspiration. He's excellent at beautiful but grand pieces of music. Not that it'll be anything his stuff, it's just nice to have a left-field point of reference sometimes. 

Plus, I've an idea for the outro, might work, might not, but backwards guitars can sometimes sound like haunting strings, adding honest interest. I'll have a mess and let you decide.

ANDY - Sound very interesting mate, can't wait for the next update!

SAMPLE SUBMITTED

ALEX - Still needs work (mixing, tying up loose ends etc.), but here's one of the new intros. It's much more Mexican than some of the others, but still has same elements. Only thing against is that it could be too dramatic towards the end, but I'll let you decide. More coming soon...

ME - Wow man! Definitely getting there, and oozes potential! I love it! Starts strong, and ties into the main tune well! the theme, style and tone is definitely getting to where I need it, it's amazing hearing it develop! Like you said though, gets a bit too dramatic/crazy towards the end, not entirely sure if that will suit the video. But toned down a tad, that section could REALLY work. Also, don't be afraid to commit more at the start, don't feel like you have to take it easy for fear of overdoing it and keep it light for an "intro's sake, cos as the whole thing has panned out it's become clear to me that the intro should be as important as the main animation, as it's all part of a bigger picture. Keep it up baby, this is gonna be something truly special come completion! 

SAMPLE SUBMITTED

ALEX - I demoed this the other night. Could maybe be an outro, or something like that. If not, I was thinking of using the animation music, but running some kind of effect through it, maybe reversing some of it. How's that sound?

ME - hmmmm... lovely! Can see this playing over the final credits mate yeah, nice work! Still retains the tone of the first two, yet stands on it's own enough to have a purpose. I like it man!

ALEX - Here's a reviewed version of intro #1... Still needs some work, trying to calm it down towards the end is proving to be tricky, but I'll get there. I'll also be adding some percussion to it when I get the chance. It'll hopefully make it sound more complete. Glad you like the demo above. I'll work on fitting something like it into the final piece. Roughly how long would you need it to be?

ME - I'm thinking about 20-30 seconds? But make it as it feels comfortable, and I'll time my stuff to it. I do like the part in the intro that goes a little mad, I'm just worried it won't quite suit what's being shown on screen, which timing wise should be around the time I'm seen drawing the imagery. But honestly, if you're really struggling to tone it down then don't worry about it mate, cos the fact is it DOES sound great, and will still work regardless! Do what you can, but don't pull your hair out over it! It's probably just rough mixing, but the start seems a little quiet? I think if the start was a little louder, it might make the wilder bit towards the end seem less wild? I've just previewed it alongside the mock intro, and it does work mate, so a little polish and fleshing out here and there and I think we're really closing in on it!

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And that is the majority of the key dialogue, all the other stuff is just me praising him for being awesome and stuff. My apologies that it is so extensive, but I wanted to include it to give an insight into the collaboration communication and the importance it had in shaping the end result, which I love! It definitely helped, playing off each other and what not. I'd give him a theme, he'd make a quick demo, I told him what worked, he went and revised. I made a moving storyboard, he responded with a well timed piece that suited what he could now see. He made an intricate piece of music, and I responded with my editing to try and fit the tune best.

It was a great experience all in all, and I certainly look forward to further collaborations down the line!

Project Development - Work in Progress

I'm getting there.

Slowly, but surely.

Very, VERY slowly.

Thought I'd check in and let you know how it's going.

I think I've done about half of the images now. I've been following small printed thumbnails so I know what to draw and where to position it, and I've been taking photographs as I go of each image. I've already had to double back and start drawing on the same sections I've already drawn on, as I've simply run out of train, so the initial idea of having it move wouldn't have worked anyway, as the train would have to be about a mile long, which makes me feel less heart broken about dropping it.

I shot a bit of footage today too, for the establishing shots in the video intro. I've got a few more shots in mind too, like for the end credits and stuff, just from areas I've found while wondering around the site here.

I'm so sick of this place. Weather's been crap, my arm is absolutely killing me, and I'm starting to think I chose the wrong idea.

Too late to stop now though, or it will all be for nothing.

I just hope it will be for something.

Right Then, Lets Get This Going!

All my research is done, my planning all sorted, music being developed and a distant deadline getting ever closer.

It's time to put pen to paper, or in this case, chalk to train, and start drawing out my animation.

I'm setting aside ALOT of time for this, as it's not something I can leave and then rush to finish. I'm under no illusion, it's going to take FOREVER, and I'm going to be absolutely SICK TO DEATH OF IT by the end.

So might as well get cracking now, and try and make as much head way as I can.

I doubt I'll be making many more blog posts for a while, as I'll be out on location doing the same thing over, and over, and over, so not much to write home about, but if anythign comes up, I shall get it posted.

LETS DO THIS!!!

Project Development - A Problem

I'm gonna have to change my idea.

I was so proud of my first idea, to draw on a train, and to make THAT move to animate each image. I thought it was genius!

It is also incredibly impractical, and as much as it breaks my heart to do so, I'm going to have to adapt my idea.

I've been delaying the inevitable for so long, but it looks like there's just no way I'm going to be able to MOVE the train in order to animate each frame one by one.

I knew the train yard was abandoned, I just hoped I'd figure something out when it came to it. What I did have in mind was to maybe make a camera dolly or something, and run it alongside the train on a parallel track, making the camera move instead of the train. But the site is just too over grown, there tracks without trains have trees and weeds growing out of them, and the only track that really runs parallel for the same distance isn't really long enough to run the whole animation length.

So yeah, need a new plan.

From the looks of it, my best option is to do a photo montage like in the research videos I looked at, and the test I did of the method.

I shall still be drawing each image afresh on a train, that much remains, but I will be animating them myself after. So it's still got the same backdrop and meaning behind it, the setting is still perfect for my intent, but the idea of an actual object moving and doing the animating for me is something I will save for another time, when it is actually achievable.

I won't lie, I'm a little gutted. I don't like dropping any idea I have unless it's for something better, which I don't feel this is, but what can you do, it's out of my hands. And I'll just have to put even more effort into making what I CAN still do, that extra bit special.

Method Test - Speed Writing

As I'm using text in my video to help set the scene, I wanted to think about how best to use it.

The RSA videos I researched before sprang to mind, with a "speed writing" approach, that showed the text being written, but sped up to work better for an actual viewer.

It would be easy to do this on the side of a train as I draw my images, but I first wanted to find out whether or not it would suit the tone I was going for, so I did a quick test...

Excuse the bad quality and dodgy handwriting, I had to write at a stupid angle due to the camera tripod! But it shows the process used on the intended words, and that's all I needed.

Because I don't think it works.

I don't feel it really suits the tone of my project, the seriousness of the issue. It works for RSA as that's more lighthearted, not to be taken as serious, but in the context of my project, saying the words I will be using, I don't think it would be appropriate.

Still, was worth finding out.