CSE 456 - Story for Digital Animation

Assignment #5A and #5B
#5A One Sheet of Thumbnails,  (Revised) Armature, Seven Steps and Beatsheet
Due: 10:50 am (in class), July 12, 2012

Printed Copies:
5 copies of your one sheet Thumbnails ( one sided single sheet)
5 copies of your Title, Armature, 7 steps and Beatsheet (all on one page front and back) Put your name on your work if you want credit.

#5B Revisions
If you have not already -- Email your most revised
7 steps, Beatsheet, Sequence and shot list, Thumbnails  and a critique (all in one document) to the staff alias and natcole@aol.com by Thursday afternoon (7/19)

 

Details Below:

#5A
For everyone in the class, you will revise your story from Assignment #4 and do another pitch on July 12th in class. As part of the pitch, I want you to print 5 copies (just use the front of the page) of your Thumbnail sheet and bring it to class. You will also need to bring in a second printed page (5 copies and you can use both sides of the sheet if needed) that has the text support (title of the story, the revised armature that may or my not be revised, your updated 7 steps and your updated beatsheet). Your one page set of Thumbnail drawings should not have color and should consist of simple (direct) drawings and be clear and be sure to follow the direction of your 7 steps/beatsheet. Part of your job is to select and illustrate the most important events in your story because you won’t be able to fit all of the events in on one page. Don’t worry too much about special camera shifts – just try to tell your story.  Use the template on your courseweb for the template of the Thumbnail sheet and be sure to title and number your drawings clearly from left to right and starting from the upper left to the lower right of the page. Put your name on your work. Also, add the updated sequence and shot list information (shot numbers) under each thumbnail drawing so that we can relate the drawing to your 7 steps and beatsheet and you can move forward with confidence on your Sequence and Shot List.
 
#5B
1. Revise your story packet again after you’ve received your next set of feedback in class on July 12th. Revise your voiceover, beatsheet, armature, etc. as needed – this is your story production packet based on the feedback you receive in class.
2. Revise your thumbnails as needed and apply the updated  thumbnail drawings and information to a version of your story that can be reviewed in the Cinematic Sandbox.
3. Revise and complete your Sequence and Shot List document, as needed, based on your Thumbnail sheet and development of the Cinematic Sandbox Animatic. This does not have to be perfect – it is a work in progress.
Note: Depending on the quality of your Thumbnails and your interest in drawing, you may also wish to draw 10 rough storyboards that illustrate your complete story (use your beatsheet and 7 steps to help you identify what boards to create) and match them in the cinematic sandbox. See the staff for feedback on whether we think you should do this and whether it will help you with your final Cinematic Sandbox Animatic.

Keep revising your Thumbnail Sheet until it is clear and understandable without verbal explanation or audio.
Utilize the reference reel you create in your lab for your visual and audio story support.
Please download and use the Simpson’s Way handout ( found on your courseweb) as a resource for your thumbnail and storyboard designs along with help from your TA’s
Design/revise your Sequence (names) and Shot (numbers) List. You must provide visual reference for support that includes the Reference Reel you create in your lab.
Below is the criteria we will be using to evaluate your story work. There are few new items to review so read carefully:

  1. Limited to three characters
  2. Can be produced and understood under 4 minutes maximum length -- closer to 3 1/2
  3. Story takes place in one setting and that setting is indoors
  4. Define your characters by assigning three adjectives to describe them and help with motivating your story events.
  5. Define a specific time and place for your story.
  6. Provide a visual representation of the story that supports your seven steps in a way that best dramatizes your story.
  7. Remember for your pitches to show excitement for the story. Fall in love with the story.
  8. Remember and convey why it is important that this story be told and present that to the audience.
  9. Do whatever you need to in order to bring the audience into the story experience.
  10. Be the characters. Act it out. Practice ahead of time. Practice more than you think you need to
  11. Be Creative!!!

Also, please be prepared to answer, (be brief but clear), the following questions about your story:

1. Is your story as clear and succinct as you can make it?
2. Do you have an overall visual style in mind for your story?
3. Why should this story be told? Why would anyone care?
4. Have you captured the visual transitions in your story in your animatic? Have you captured and illustrated the most important story beats?