week 2 - 2D Animation Tests

I made two abstract paper puppets with magazine bits and the invisible wire hinge method for extra articulation. As these characters were being built, I imagined a little story involving a rubber Duckie. I had to shoot this short in two parts, primarily due to equipment malfunction ( the computer froze up in the middle!). Afterward, I edited the clips, added music, and then vocal tracks. All voices are my own. The result came out very well. (see the film ‘Rubber Duckie’ on the Animations page here)

The multiplane proved to be more difficult than I initially imagined. The lighting is the biggest challenge. I used a lightbox, covered with tissue paper on the bottom level of the multiplane. I also used the iPad to film over it, and had further trouble adjusting the image size. I need to investigate more lighting options and try with my phone camera instead. I’d like to try to make a multilayered scene at some point, but it seems the lighting has to be on each level and not too bright.

I also began the main character puppet for the short film final. I am extremely happy with how it’s coming out. (You can see these process stills and the production process here)