R e s e a r c h & D e v e l o p m e n t

My chosen way of animation for my project is Rotoscoping. An animation stand called a Rotoscope was used to project a sequence of action frames against a surface so that a set of animation frames could be traced or created, this is where the original name came from. Now, rotoscoping is used more digitally on computers. “More frequently Rotoscoping can be used as a technique for combining (compositing) cartoon figures with realistic settings in television commercials and is also “used for special effects in feature-length films, these are it’s main uses.

My interest in film animation derived from my passion for film. Editing is particular practice I also enjoy and wanting to create fantastic visuals for an audience  is what film thrives upon. The use of Digital Media has allowed me to use rotoscoping within a filmed project. I have decided to use rotoscoping as I feel the type of animation has a lot of character to it, I love it that each frame could be different, yet the original image still pulls through clearly despite being redesigned in each frame.  I want to design my images with inspiration from my previous blog post research (dizzee rascal etc). When first looking into the history of Rotoscoping I found these two pieces to show the artistic excellence of rotoscoping, this includes: Richard Linklater’s Waking Life and Max Fleischer’s 1920 The Chinaman.

“The fundamental duties of a rotoscope artist are to trace over live-action movements on film, to create more realistic and fluid animation.”

This piece was created by Peter McGregor and his team for South Sydney council, in an awareness for safe driving at night due to the high amount of pedestrian deaths caused. As well as this piece being in place for a good cause it also proved further that the impact of these prominent legs will capture peoples attentions as the numbers in deaths rapidly decreased after the structure was implemented

ANIMATION INSPIRATION

1) Walking on History – Sarah Emmons http://vimeo.com/11854020

Finding a video on vimeo that is filmed individually by a woman who is outside the Acropolis Museum.  Its mentioned that for about 3 square miles around the acropolis was were the ancient city of Athens was built. The video is a point of view shot  of Sarah Emmons walking over perspex glass, showing the ancient ruins below.

This perspective was really interesting to view, I loved it that yet it was a home video that the footage is filmed so simply to show the viewer exactly what they want to see. A possibility for my own animation would to include the legs but what they are walking over/past is the history of Lincoln, animated. It may be that I change the image of the legs accordingly to each era. i.e Roman sandals drawn onto feet etc.

For my project  it is important to not only reach older audiences but to try to address younger audiences too. Frequency Festival 2015 will be “providing a platform to celebrate the pioneering spirit of digital innovation and culture through exhibition, creative collision and debate”. This is the digital age, and it is important that digital innovation grows to highlight the possibilities of new ideas and inventions.

Logo for Frequency Festival 2013.

AUDIENCE

My intended audience will be aged 14+, although younger audiences may want to look at the projection too, it will be the older audiences that look and learn from the project, noting particular historical events that happen within the animation. i.e the erection of the Catherdral in 1092. The project should both be visually and mentally stimulating and engaging. The audience should feel liberated in watching this visual animation.
Main aims for audience:

• To learn
• To enjoy
• To feel influenced to create