The Lonely Mountain

Originally we had planned to replicate the mountain in the map but then we moved on to a much papery looking art style for our hobbit promo.

Planning the Focus Groups

Research Question- Can the integration of traditional story-telling and a Human Behavioural Psychology Theory generate a positive lifestyle change in its audience?

Pre- Focus Group Plan

Duration (Approx 45 Mins.)

• ·      Apply for Ethics Approval
•        Invite 8-12 Participants
•        Age group- 20-35 years
•        Invite through        -An Advertisement, Printed Pamphlets around the college, Word of Mouth
•        Booking the Facilities     – Room
•        Booking the Equipment -Recorder, Projector
• ·     Inviting the Participants formally by Email
•       Arranging for Moderator and Assistant
•       Arranging for Refreshments

Objective of the Focus Group

The psychological theory (The Strategic Use of Gain‐ and Loss‐Framed Messages to Promote Healthy Behaviour: How Theory Can Inform Practice) primarily involves framing of a question where the expected outcome might be gain or loss in association with an advocated behaviour. So, it will be beneficial to my research if I conduct a Focus Group before the actual making of the films as I will be able to incorporate the results of the Focus Group into those films. It will help me ascertain what the audiences prefer between different variables. For Example, tone (colour/sound) of the film, presentation of the underlying theme/message, might affect how the participants/audience would feel about the film and its message. These will be some of the main findings. The participants suggestion on what the films might showcase that would motivate them to change their behaviour would also be sought.

Once for a whole day!

Sheng's personal project required a 3D Artist as she is more into 2D Animations. The title of the animation is Once for a whole day. It is based on a Tibetian Love Poem that Sheng wanted to visualise. The first thing that she required was a prayer wheel mostly found in Buddhist Monasteries. She sent me some reference images and I modeled according to them.

 Reference Image 1 

 Reference Image 2

 Reference Image 3

Modeling

Research

We have squared on that we would like to make two animatics for my research with two different tone style to bring out the Gain and Loss Framed Messages clearly. The gain framed film is based on a story and the loss framed is in the form of an informative monologue.

Lilly is directing the Gain-Framed Film while I will be directing the other. Currently all of us are concentrating on the script and story-boarding of the Gain Framed Film. I am doing my bit of Research on the Loss Framed Film. I need to congregate all the facts and data of what is happening and what needs to be done in a narration. The films are on taking care of the local wildlife esp endangered birds. So, far I have sent an email to Dundee RSPB on their advice of the plight of the Local Birds. I am waiting for their response.

Some of the birds that I did find interesting for our animation are 

Bullfinch: Declined by 53%(Common Bird Census between 1970 and 1999)

Song Thrush: Declined by 56% (Common Bird Census between 1970 and 1999)

Starling: Declined by 76% ( Common Bird Census between 1970 and 1999)

Not only are they beautiful and need to be saved but i think they will prove to be good examples for Sheng's Research on 'paranoid' characters.

Ref: http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/decline/nationaltrends.aspx

Supervisor Meeting

Our concept and story have started to take some shape now. In a meeting,with Sharon,we discussed our story idea and what animation art style that we might like to pursue. Initially,we had planned for 3D Characters on 2D Backgrounds. However, I was introduced to 'pocoyo' art style where there is no background. I found this quite interesting and time-saving as we have to prepare animatics of two films. 

Lilly is directing the first film and for my research I am directing the second. However, all four of us our currently having a go at the storyboard our style. I am the Production Manager. I am new to this. I find scheduling everything on google Calender easier.However, I intend to make one on Excel too.

We all are now concentrating on Concept Art and Moodboard for the Animation Art style. Also,we plan to have a rough animatics ready by next Supervisor Meeting. 

With the Going Live and Reflection on Module Assessment there is already a lot to do. Let's see how effectively we use this time.

Team Project

As I really wanted to start something for the Team Project I started Modelling a Kitchen that might me used in our film or just in the Animatics. Currently it stands thus-

Reflection on Practice

Some exercises in Sharon's first lesson actually made me aware of some of my strengths and weaknesses. I usually do a lot of reflecting in my personal life but that lesson made me stop and think whether I was doing it the correct way or was I just over thinking and calling it reflection. It made me think whether the thought itself was worth reflecting or not.

First,she asked to think how we really reflect on our practice. For me its usually trial and error method- just clicking various options and then going with the best permutation and combination that brings about the desired result. Sometimes, this doesn't work either. So,I just put it in the back of my mind and keep thinking- bringing it to the forefront only when something close to what I need might be available. 

One of the exercises that really clicked with me was talking with some other individual in my brain and what would they reply in turn to my ideas. I think this exercise helped me to ascertain things that I already knew about my project or some weakness that I knew of it but was too afraid to say it to myself out loud. Now, i believe, I might be able to focus on it and do what needs to be done.

Then,there was this other exercise where she asked us to use a methodology of 4 R's- namely, Recall,Relive, Reinterpret and Respond. During this exercise, we were asked to Recall a moment in the past semester that might have been a 'Eureka Moment' or 'Nothings working Moment'. Then,Relive what we felt at that moment- how we could we Reinterpret that situation and now what should be our Respond to it. I found this exercise to turn some of my negative moments to positive ones as it made me realise that I can cope or help is almost always available around me.