End of Semester Summary

Well the end of semester is here and with it comes the end of pre-production. After creating the production bible I finally feel like I have a handle on the pre-production process. This is something that I’m sure should have sunk in much sooner, but for what ever reason the flow of the process was something that had eluded me a little til now. I think part of this was because of my lack of familiarity with all software and hardware involved with the process; therefore time estimates for the work remained an impenetrable concept.

Through this pre-production phase however I have aligned myself with After Effects. It will be the program I will be using for the bulk of my production. As a result I have been able to get my head around the work flow I will be using and therefore been able to conceptualise how the piece will be constructed.

This pre-production also involved working out data storage, render times and asset management. This forced me to assess the project from a perspective I have until this point steadfastly ignored, as a result for the first time I feel I have a handle on how to quantify the project from a purely numerical perspective. This has greatly aided in my ability to break down the creative elements of the film, how long they would take, how much they would cost and how much space they would take up.

Whilst my comprehension of the project from this perspective is still rudimentary it has given me confidence in going forward with the project. It has given me a way to track my progress from a point of view other than just story telling, which up til this point was the only way I could assess my work. I’m excited by this development because it has given me some insight as to how I may be able to produce work post TAFE in the professional world. Given my limitations as a visual artist (my story telling and directing abilities are naturally unparalleled in the known universe), knowing how to break down a project into what elements I will need other artists to create, how long it would take etc gives me some confidence that I will be able to create projects of my own after graduation. I was genuinely fearful that my lack of skills would prohibit this and so for this alone I would rate my pre-production this time around a great success.

The success of my pre-production from an artistic standpoint however has probably been less of a success. As I have been gabbing about incessantly throughout the blog, and this summary, I am unhappy with all of the artwork I have created. I have been reticent to get my class mates to assist too much despite their superior ability, because I can not return the favour in kind. I wrote a few scripts for the guys and was able to parlay that into some character designs and colouring, but I was left to do the heavy lifting on much of the remaining work. Whilst the other guys would have made much lighter work of this, as I said I would not have been able to offer much service in reciprocation, given my drawing, animating and compositing skills are so basic. So rather than have the ledger heavily in my favour, and take precious time away from their projects I struggled alone, like a martyr, against the harsh elements of my inferior artistic abilities. I’m so thoughtful that way.

But despite my pre-school drawing ability, I am feeling confident that my final piece will be something that I’m not repulsed by, if not even proud of. Again this is because I am comfortable in what elements I will have to produce. Given I am able to break down the project into smaller pieces, I can choose to start with those elements that I know I can do well, therefore gaining in confidence and quality as I go. Also given I am committed to using After Effects I look forward to learning the program and utilising its functions to greatest (ahem) effect and polishing my turd-like art into something almost palatable.

It is still a long way to go, but I feel I now have a decent map which should lead me at least in the general direction of my final destination.