Week 13: Upon Reflection...

I think my performance in Studio 13 this trimester has been significant overall.I signed up for concept art because I like drawing and there’s a larger level of creative freedom at that point in a project. I think I contributed a decent amount of good concept art/mood boards. I also tried my best to get a solid concept down for the boss dog and in the end we were successful.

Around week 6 we had fallen behind and everyone had to pull their weight in areas they didn’t sign up for; I was assigned to animate an approx. 20 second shot. I was reluctant at first because I doubted myself, but I changed my attitude and smashed it out in a few days and I was quite happy with the result. In the last few weeks it became challenging to promote a positive and united atmosphere in the team, as the stress level grew. I aimed to maintain a positive attitude in myself and others and diffuse any stressful situations/tension, whilst pushing us all on to the finish line. #post

I signed up as lead of post production and I think I managed that well. As a cohort, we had barely done any kind of post work in the past, so I wanted to challenge myself in the area I knew least about. Since this was the first time many of us had used NukeX, I challenged my ‘posties’ to get familiar with the program very early on. The response was usually poor and the lack of preparation manifested when post hit full swing in week 10. Regardless, I managed to pull the whole team together for a few nights to work altogether on our common goal.

I think I helped to manage render wrangling well. Since post production relied heavily on the successful execution of rendering, I was present for much of the process. I wanted to be on top of my game and know exactly how the exr’s were built, what render layers we were dealing with an how they were being stored, so I could make sure my posties were well looked after.

Upon reflection I think I could’ve catered the way I communicate with my individual posties better, to enable them to achieve better results for the team (e.g. set deadlines, follow up more strictly, give more concise feedback and direction). I need to work on being less socially awkward in general. I tend to close off to people when I feel stressed, or I feel my work isn’t good enough. I’m a terrible judge of my own work; if left alone with my own thoughts for long enough I’ll turn into a Gollum. That’s why I work better in small groups of like-minded people.

Going forward, I will make an effort to reach out to people when I’m doubting myself or unclear about where I need to direct my focus for the team. Throughout my time at SAE I’ve learnt to manage my time far better than I used to, but it still needs some improvement. This includes making time to juggle various projects, not just the big one! Presenting myself more professionally, self-discipline and having a consistent attitude are other goals I have.

I think our project is high quality holistically. The message we intended to impart to our audience from the beginning, was delivered effectively in the end. I really enjoyed the learning experience and think this contributed to much of the quality of the project. Considering this was the first time many of us had worked in a group this size and on a project this large, we did really well overall. Another good indication of the quality of the project would be if it accepted in film festivals, received well by our target audience and wins some awards, hopefully.

The final addition of audio to our film made it excellent. I loved the modelling & texturing of the bedroom environment and the volumetric lighting/atmosphere added in post. I think the integration of the 2D dog in the 3D space was really well done; the subtle shadows were tricky to achieve, but they add the illusion of depth in the scene. Subtle moonrays under and over the 2D dog also contribute to this effect.

I think the animation of Jordan could’ve been improved. More study of body movement (from the reference footage) and better use of the graph editor/animation layers as a whole, would’ve helped improve the animation process. The mesh for Jordan could’ve been improved a bit and I had some trouble using the IK handles in the arms. Some of the 2D dog animation could’ve been improved to keep it consistent. The methods/processes of the project overall could’ve been improved; more urgency on getting things done early on, not underestimating time, spending less time on pre-production, testing more things and continually reflecting on our progress and make sure we’re not going off track.

I’ve pushed my limits further this trimester, in regards to how hard I can work and how productive I can be. I’ve learnt that I am far more productive when I have clear direction from my leads, rather than simply experimenting or having too much creative freedom. I’ve learnt that I work better in a team, for a team, and not isolated. I’ve learnt to take more initiative and ask for help/feedback on what I can do differently or where I can direct my focus, so I can work more efficiently and produce better results for the team.

I already have secure part time work at a land development business and the opportunities for me there are expanding. I’d like try and score an internship at a more established studio in Melbourne who do work in film and television, and over the years work my way up into more elite studios (possibly work internationally). I still think I might end up working primarily in 2D animation (children’s film & T.V., motion graphics etc) but I might find I like other branches of animation fulfilling as well (virtual environments, simulations, VFX). My ultimate professional goal before I die is to make my own Disneyesque princess film and contribute to the making of a Tolkien franchise. #Silmarillion

It's been an honour working with you all and I wish you well with your future endeavours!

Keep it touch.

See you next trimester!