Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Introduction

The purpose of this assignment is to create a visual media product in which I aim to enhance existing skills and to develop new skills in order to add to my development that will, in the future, led to better employability opportunities.

The initial idea (more information is in the folder) is to create a World War 2 animation. As I have never made an animation before this will be a challenge and also a learning curve as I will have to practice with various software packages before deciding which programme I intend to use and this will also determine my aesthetic. My initial thoughts are to create a 3D animation, however I think it may be beneficial to me if I first learn some basics of animation by using Flash.

During this project I will be working in collaboration with Simon Dormer, a fellow student, who has experience in using animation programmes and his expertise are in using the 3D modelling and animation programme 3DS Max from AutoDesk.

The decision to work with another person has been made on two principles. Firstly, working with other people gives an additional and alternative perspective on ideas and development. One of the many things I have learnt through life is that education comes in many forms whether that is from lectures in academic centres, self-teaching through online or physical resources, or from fellow peers who have a shared interest and using a combination of all of these elements will enable me to develop skills or create new skills.

In addition, whatever industry one will work in the future I will undoubtedly work in a team of people in some capacity. Being able to work with others, to challenge each others views an opinions on an ideas and development, whilst at the same time still maintaining a harmonious working environment, is a challenge that will bestow me at some point. Therefore this is another reason as to why working in collaboration is a decision I, or we I should say, have made.

Before the project has even started I have already been compromised, but not by my collaborator, but by a lecture when I received this email.


 
Initially, this email put a spanner in the works. I was dismayed that an idea that I had created was potentially going to have to be re-worked. Although I acknowledge that this is some guidance and advice, and that after some consideration, I am open to some changes but I am gravely concerned that this will, in the long term, have a detrimental effect on the final product. During this process I will have to ensure that the main core of the story remains intact.

After a discussion with Simon, we decided that we will implement a change in which the soldiers change into a different entity. At this stage we are unsure what this may be. A further conversation with Simon, we discussed the difference between low and high poly on 3D modelling. From what I understand after this conversation is that the more polygons you use the smoother and more realistic the models look. The down side to this is that it weighs heavy on computer systems, so in turn very powerful computers are needed and the render time is vastly greater. With this in mind, should I decide that a 3D is the way to continue I will have to make a low-poly animation.