Hello loyal readers,
Well, this production log has been in existence for one year now and I figured I should do a year in review of all the ups and downs of the creation of an independant cartoon.
I created this plog to document my progress as I creep along through the production of "The Waif of Persephone". However, being an independant animator, I often have to temporarily shelve this project in favour of commercial work-the kind that pays the bills. This year was a particularily busy one for me; I actually for the first time had to turn down a couple of really tempting and potentially enjoyable jobs. That always hurts a little and leaves me with a nagging doubt as to the correctness of my decision but, that's life I guess. Anyhow, this year I juggled quite a few projects, among them are: Wayside a pilot for Nickelodeon on which I did storyboards and character layout; Carl Squared flash animation; 6teen storyboards. There were others too but those were the major ones that kept me busy.
When I wasn't doing that, I was plugging away on my film. I started this year with the project well underway. All of the pre-production was complete (storyboards, animatic, design and layout) and I was in the process of doing the rough animation. This year I made the decision to do some of the less complex scenes in Flash to help save some time. I was skeptical about doing this previously but after working on a few flash productions I gained some confidence that it could be blended with traditional animation in a some what seamless way. As I completed a few scenes I started to become emboldened by the results and started to animate more and more scenes in flash. Thusly, I animated approximately 67 scenes in Flash which is almost half of the total number of scenes!
Also, in 2005 I finished all of the rough animation for the remainder of the scenes and began the laborious job of inbetweening and clean-up of the final animation.
As well as animation, 2005 saw the start of background painting. So far, I have painted about half of the backgrounds.
The life of this blog has also been an exciting one. Twice mentioned on Cartoon Brew, the most read animation blog on the internets. Once mentioned on Drawn.ca an equally prestigious illustration and animation blog. So thanks to Amid Amidi and Jay Stephens! And thanks to all of you who read it and leave comments (even the negative ones) It's nice to be noticed.
And so, here we all are in January of 2006! Happy birthday PLOG!
Cheers to you all!
13 comments:
Nick, How do you do it? please tell me the secret.
-cory
Hi Cory,
I'll let this little gem courtesy of google be your answer....
"Area 51 enables players to step into the shiny, high-lace boots of Lt. Nick Cross, a hazardous biological waste specialist who is sent in to investigate occurrences requiring his particular training. Quickly enough, Cross discovers alien creatures and a deadly mutagen that infects him. Because Nick Cross is infected, the alien mutagen enhances his physical abilities beyond the scope of normal humans and before too long, Cross learns he must root out the truth behind Area 51 and (of course) save himself and the entire earth in the process."
By the way, is that you Perkins?
Here's to Nick Cross, the best plogger ever!
Can't wait to see this film!
Perkins???
No, I'm your spumco cousin robertryan cory.... I remember when john would tell us how you would storyboard in the morning, layout 3 sc's in the afternoon and help paint backgrounds at night. I still don't know how you can do it all, and fast. You're really good at giving artist a complex though.
Ah John K, master of exagerration...heh, I did have to juggle a lot of jobs at Spumco but I don't think I was that good!!! I didn't get many days of though. Oh memories....
Nick,
It sounds like you've had quite the year! I don't know how you manage to juggle all of these tasks and still keep the quality up... I check out your blog all the time whenever I need a source of inspiration or just a little creative boost and you never disappoint.
It's funny that you've been relying on flash more and more for your film, I've adopted your technique of keyframing everything on twos and I'm loving the results. For some actions I'm actually amased at how close to traditional it can look.
Anyway can't wait to see your film!
Thanks Gerry!
I'm glad you finally converted ha ha. Animating on 2's in flash is the big "secret" to making stuff look less computery. I find it makes the movement less floaty and weightless which I think comes from animating on 1's (damn that Richard Williams!!!)
Hey Nick, it's been a pleasure to read along! Your work is fantastic (2's does make things look much more classic). Great work, and great reads..
So thank YOU, man.. thank YOU.
Can't wait for the APC DVD!
I love coming here, there is so much inspiration for those wanting to make their own indy films, but still have to juggle the reall animation jobs that actually pay.
I look forward to seeing your film.
Thanks Kyle,
Hey I noticed by your profile that you are from Charlottetown. Do you work at Trapeze? If so do you know Troy? If so, ask him how to make (and eat) Kraft Dinner some time ha ha.
atta boy. what wonderful achievements; I say! Plus, I can't wait to see your short, the anticipation builds! (^:
Hi Nick! Is there a chance I can work with you or someone else that you know that does animation? There is no way I can work in animation here in Mexico. I am willing to work half-time for free.
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