Timing and animation

For the timing and animation of my character I have been looking at 2D platformer games like Megaman X, Super Mario, Contra. etc. 

Most of my other scenes are either very still, for the character at least, or are some sort of environmentally focused establishing shot. Because of this I focused alot of character movement in the second sequence, with the character running thought the forest. During this scene the character is running up and down uneven surfaces, climbing a hill and jumping onto a breaking bridge. The animation for the rest of the scenes usually involves a long shot over the characters shoulder to introduce the setting, and build anticipation for the narrative by hinting at were the character is going.

More frames from my scenes

Scenes

My first two scenes made in Photoshop 

This is my colour palette

So far I have chosen a monochromatic colour scheme for my animation as it suits the dark moody atmosphere I am trying to create. The silhouettes I find help to reinforce this point by making the characters appear more mysterious. 

Animatic

Animation of story board, to get a sense of timing.

Character sheet and revised style

I combined stylistic elements of the game Limbo and Dr. Seuss's illustrations. I am going to use shades of grey getting lighter as they recede into the background. To give the sciences a sense of liveliness I am going to rely a lot on secondary movements. For example in the opening scene the character itself will not move, however the three strands of hair on his head will sway along with the tress, as if there was wind.  

Character sheet

Opening scene 

Further style research

I wasn't quite sold on the idea of using only a style very similar to that of Limbo. I like the idea of using only silhouettes and black and white backgrounds, however I think using a different drawing style would give better overall effect.

The doctor Seuss illustration style, with its crazy proportions, simple characters and everything looking like its hairy. I think this style would complement being silhouetted very well, as it would give the animation a very otherworldly atmosphere.

Style, character sheet and storyboard

For the style of my animation I'm thinking of using a similar style to that of the game Limbo ( Limbo). I think the dark atmosphere this, or a similar style would really contrast the innocence and of the main character as well as give a better illusion the the way the monster is portrayed. Showing it as more evil as opposed to protective and in some ways perhaps good.

Character sheet

I wanted to retain a childish element in the character, so I left the pot on his head. This makes him seem like a young boy wanting to be an adventurer. 

I added some colour to the characters in the storyboard, to try and add an element of assumption on the viewers part. The viewer would associate the blue of the character with an sense of innocence. The green gives the monster an initial impression of disgust with the green, but is later revealed and is shown as more nurturing which can also be associated with green.

Exercise 2

Completed exercise 2 animated the character running

Research into existing nursery rhyme clips

This music video for Mika- Lollipop is an adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood. The clip uses simple animation techniques on almost every element to make the entire scene come to life, while lyrics are shown through type popping up attached to moving objects.

Style research

For the innocent main character I am looking at alot of cartoons, video games etc. that use cute and/or innocent looking characters.
Studio Ghibli, Disney

For the evil characters I'm looming more at illustrators like Ed Roth and LaFlamme