You Are Here: Final Animation

Train Strike

Authors own

This is my 30 second animation that explores the evolution of the name of the street that we today call Cannon Street. It is a visual piece, with no narrative, just experimentation of transitions, sound, insinuated actions and style. 

I find the most successful components of this animation to be the switch between two styles to give the viewer some indication of the environment they are being introduced to. Also, the insinuation of movement in the arches that pass the flame as it flickers out to make way for the incoming train. I do wish I could have done more with the sound, creating a mix that explored all of the interesting audible recordings I made. I also feel as though the flame could have been developed more, but because of my very basic knowledge of After Effects I was not able to create anything more elaborate in the time I had to complete this project. For future projects, I will make sure I put some time aside to explore software I haven't tried out yet that may come in handy in the production stage. 

You Are Here: Flame Study

Flame studies

Short animation of flame study

Authors own

Looking into the movement of flames made me realise just how unpredictable their movements can be. It is all to do with the movement of air around the flame. I feel I successfully recorded the nature of the flame in my animation above. However, its movements are too erratic to feature in my final animation. I will definitely use subtle movements for the flame, with a warm orange glow as it naturally would be if a flame were lit in the underground. 

You Are Here: Final Storyboard and Animatic

Final Storyboard

Animatic of final storyboard

Authors own

This was the first time I had made an animatic for any of my animation projects and I found it really helpful. I was able to get a better grasp of time and how each sequence of my storyboard will plan out. In turn, I was able to see what would in fact work well and what would not. I decided that I no longer wanted to include the candle stick as it seems too clunky, and instead just a lone flame. Also, in a critic with my tutor, he mentioned that the London bombings springs to mind. In order for me to avoid that connection I have to think about the nature of the flame I decide to animate. Will it be erratic? Will it dance? Will it throb gently? Also, what colour will it be? And how do I extend to insinuate the idea of fire? I am leaning towards the idea of using materials found at the train station such as, a newspaper. I now plan on studying the movements and colours of different flames to see what kind of emotional response they provoke.