Post Production!

The process I used after animation is one that I have done so many times and one that I will continue to do so in the future. This involved adding effects on Adobe After Effects and then adding sounds on Adobe Premiere Pro. This finishes the production off professionally. I added the ghosts and the magic protruding from The Magical Musical Adventurers recorder. I masked the ghosts to make it seem as if they emerging from under the ground in a ghostly way. I formed the magic by creating a beam with a glow effect and then adding a scatter effect to it. I then found the required sounds effect from the internet and edited them into the footage.

Animating!

All the preproduction work was complete and it was time to animate. I initially contemplated between doing the animation either on the lightbox or Adobe Flash. I felt more confident drawing the characters freehand so thought that the lightbox would be best, but after considering style, I thought that the line achieved with Flash would suit the project. I have also never used Flash for a project like this so thought it would be good practice. Whilst using Flash I learnt new techniques and processes such as symbols. This made the animation process much more simple and added a smooth feel to the animation. I drew all the animation without any colour and then filled it in when the animation was complete. I thought this way it would be easier to change the animation if needed.

The Backgrounds!

The drawings of the backgrounds were very much a formality. I had already gathered the style of the animation through the character designs. I decided to do a sophisticated three-tone block colour style that I knew would fit perfectly with the characters. I also knew how many backgrounds I needed by reference from the animatic. I drew some shot layouts and whilst doing this I decided to change one composition. I haven’t used layouts before but they are useful because I may have decided to change the composition whilst animating and this would have been costly on time.

Shot Layout

Background 1

Background 2

Background 3

The Animatic!

I have created animatics in previous projects and found that, when drawing directly from the storyboard, I needed to add additional shots to make it flow and make sense. Animatics are always essential in these types of projects as they can highlight timing to help with animating. I did experiment with producing dope sheets for the sequence but I found that it was delaying the process this way and decided to time the animatic perfectly, as I have done in other projects. I think I will use dope sheets when working with a team on a project like this because it will be a more detailed reference for the animator in the group. I added a wash of colour to the animatic to give me a clearer idea on how to create the background that will be used with the animation.

Dope Sheet Experiment

Animation Sequence Animatic

Storyboarding!

When I came to storyboarding the script, I started with a storyboard template with a stiff boundary. I did find, with this template, I tended to want to draw the shots very detailed and spent a lot of time doing each one. This meant that it took me quite a while to draw just the opening sequence. I quickly scraped the template and I hand drew my boundaries and roughed out the story. I decided to focus and nail the particular scene that I was going to animate. However, as I focused on one scene, some of the characters I had created became unnecessary. In future, I will use this experience to decide on the scene before I create the characters. I received feedback on the rough storyboard and changed it accordingly. This was a much quicker and more coherent process than I had previously put to practice. Once I had my final roughed storyboard, I digitally returned to the template to create an animatic.   

Template Storyboard

Rough Storyboard

Character Development!

From the completed script I had all my characters identified in my episode. I bought a bigger sketchbook to create more refined sketches than what I had done so in the small book. I developed each character from initial concept to final simplified shape with minimal lines, ready for animating. I did refer back to my smaller book to make quick sketches. I liked the combination between the different sized books as my drawing naturally changed to fit the change in size. I think I will adopt this process in future units.

Early Concept

Early Concept

Character in Scenario

Final Concept

Character in pose

The Script!

I then thought it was time to write the script. I was quite excited about writing one, as I have never done so before. I soon became engrossed and found the writing process very enjoyable. I wanted a script that had very little plot holes and this frame of mind inspired me into creating a detailed story for the episode.  In previous projects I found myself storyboarding a story and essentially making it up as I drew each shot. This is not a great way to go about the process, as the story can become weak and loose continuity. I did find, however, when storyboarding the script, that I could have written more direction on specific camera angles to aid the process. Overall the script to storyboard was successful.

Extract from scene 4 of the the pilot episode of The Magical Musical Adventurer

The Idea!

I bought myself a small sketchbook so that I could document any ideas that conjure. I was able to draw little sketches that were able to develop into prospects. I found this sketchbook very useful, as I was able to spontaneously withdraw it and note my ideas. I eventually decided on a musical adventurer in the fantasy genre. I gradually built up a collection of sketches that constructed an initial concept of the characters appearance, including his possible face and clothing. 

Early Magical Musical Adventurer Concept

Possible Face Ideas

Face Variant

Clothing Concept

Exploration!

I started the process by exploring my interests and inspirations so I could create an idea that could have my full attention throughout. This is a different starting process to what I would usual have the chance to use because a brief usually given would have a more specific path to take, but this time is all my choice. This exploration process is crucial for the success of the project as it identifies the genre and initial direction the idea would go. I extracted a lot of information from myself and quickly had a base idea ready to develop. This is definitely a process I would take with me to other future units.

Welcome to The Magical Musical Adventurer Methodology Blog!

The Magical Musical Adventurer is a cartoon series where the main character, The Magical Musical Adventurer (MMA), travels around the kingdom to help villages in peril. Each episode sees MMA explore a different, exciting location and battle the evil presence within. MMA begins each of his adventures with his trusty magical recorder and lute at his side. The series is aimed at the 12 - 14 years range.

In the pilot episode, of which this blog is based on, The Magical Musical Adventurer receives a letter from the village of Hillreach about an evil disturbance. Hillreach has been placed under a curse so that whenever the villagers play their beloved village tune, the spirits of the departed haunt the source. The Magical Musical Adventurer investigates the village in the attempt to cure the curse.


The Magical Musical Adventurer Methodology

This methodology unit, where the Magical Musical Adventurer was created, was a very exciting opportunity to create my very own cartoon episode, covering all processes of the production, from initial concept to final animation sequence. The unit was even more exciting because it was solely my project to there was potential to learn all aspects of the production.