'Soundbite Animation':

I started out creating keyframe animation tests for this project, allowing me (like the previous project) to work out how the characters would move and interact with each other. 

The actual designs of the two characters are not permanent, but the general look of them probably won't change too much, if at all. 

(Below) Screenshots from the ToonBoom workplace used to make my keyframe animations, along with several snapshots from the animations themselves. 

(Above) Workspace screenshots

(Above) Rendered screenshots 

'Soundbite Animation':

The animation would take place solely on a typical performance stage set, with curtains either side and two microphones (with stands) ready and waiting to be used by the actors. Below is the general script/story that would take place at least for part of the animation.

After the voice from off-screen (the director) calls for quiet on set, the ‘Older Actor’ (OA) character would walk calmly and confidently out from the right, followed shortly after by the ‘Younger Actor’ (YA) on the left.

‘YA’ would rush in, stumble almost immediately, dropping his script in the process. 

‘OA’ would watch this happen and drop his own script in surprise, after which they would both collect their papers, shuffling them around in confusion.

They would be given little time to organise, as the off-screen voice would say, “You set? And... Action!”, leading into the bulk of the animation.

(Below) A storyboard test of the script/story detailed above. 

'Soundbite Animation':

This animation is now my primary focus in this term, and the plan is to use several spoken-word audio clips from different films/TV/etc, set to a scene depicting two characters ‘facing off’ against each other in an acting audition onstage.

The characters would both drop the scripts, pick them up, then attempt to read their lines in the now-random order. The dialogue that they will have in-between that and the ending would all consist of quotes taken from films, etc (All of which I will have documented). 

(Below) Various designs for the two characters that will be in this animation. 

'Unfortunate Deaths' Animations:

The 'A is for Aaron, swallowed by darkness' short animation was completed, allowing me to continue working towards my 2nd Project, tentatively titled 'Soundbite Animation'. 

(Below) An embedded video of the final animation created. 

'Unfortunate Deaths' Animations: 

Due to my shifted focus towards my 2nd project and the time constraints; I only really had the chance to focus on one ‘Unfortunate Death’ animation for the final showreel at the end of the term. 

The one animation would be made in a way that it could be seen as a short, standalone snippet of animation, so it wouldn't stick out too sorely. 

I chose the ‘A is for Aaron, swallowed by darkness’, idea as the basis for this chosen animation.

(Below) Screenshots from the animation process in the ToonBoom program.