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4.1 project 1 5.1 FMP Advanced and Experimental 3D computer Animation Techniques 1 Maya

Week1：Three stories and producing of three scenes

I conceived the third story, which was a reference to traditional martial arts films, where two warriors meet and fight, with one of them eventually winning. The rhythm of the fight between the two characters can be expressed by the distance between the characters and their movements, and when they get closer to each other the rhythm will be faster. It was interesting to see how the characters moved in the subplot.

Moodboard of three ideas：

  • 1. The first story takes place in the ruins of an ancient Egyptian castle, with a predominantly yellow colour scheme, a combination of desert and ancient architecture, and a scene with many stone temples and triangular structures.
  • This is the video of model, the scene with tall pillars and the idols in front of them, the symmetrical structure of the temple will make the scene look more solemn.

  • 2.The second story is a mysterious ancient Chinese temple. I did some research on the Nuo masks in western Hunan, where there is a tradition of touring the gods during the New Year, Nuo masks are masks that symbolise the gods and are worn by people during the New Year to dance and pray for all to go well in the new year, with different masks representing different gods.

Design of scenes：

The scene model：

  • 3. The third scene takes place in a more modern martial arts film, where chivalrous men in a modern metropolis compete in a martial arts tournament.
  • This story focuses on the action of the fight and this is a reference to some of the action design.On the right is a reference to the scene, and on the left are some storyboard.

and modelof scenes：

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5.2 Thesis Advanced and Experimental 3D computer Animation Techniques 1

Week2：Experimental Animation

Inspiring filmmakers and visionaries around the world, Metropolis set the standards by which futuristic films were visualised, judged and appreciated, with Alfred Hitchcock even copying a specific special effect from the film called the Schüfftan process.

The technique consists of covering part of the camera’s view with a mirror, allowing filmmakers to assemble an image from multiple parts. It was widely used in the first half of the 20th century before being almost completely replaced by the travelling matte and bluescreen effects.

German cinematographer Eugen Schüfftan in the film Metropolis (1927) The director of this film, Fritz Lang, wanted to insert actors in miniature shots of skyscrapers and other buildings, so Schüfftan used a special mirror to create the illusion of actors interacting with the huge, realistic scenery.

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Advanced and Experimental 3D computer Animation Techniques 1

Week2：Mechanical Hand

In this week we used maya to model and animate a mechanical hand. The basic principle of a mechanical arm is to take the joints apart following the human skeletal structure and add more details on the joints and fingers with sci-fi elements.

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5.2 Thesis Final Major Projects and Theis

Week1：Thesis Proposal

  • On graduation which area or environment of production do you wish to focus upon and why?

I wish to continue to focus on 3D animation. I have always been interested in the field of 3D animation and there is always new knowledge to be learned in the process of studying 3D animation.

  • What skills will you need to attain the standards required for vocational practice?

The animation process requires detailed models and smooth character movements, I will focus on improving my modelling skills and character animation skills, while conceptual design for animation is also an important part of the process and I will also improve my conceptual design skills.

  • How will you showcase your FMP practice for the final shows?

I will consider presenting the final project in the form of a video format. And techniques for using 3D animation.

  • Is it important to directly connect the thesis research to your practical work?

It is important because the thesis helps us to critically analyse and integrate existing theories, which is very helpful in producing practical work.

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Collaborative Unit

Week2：Collaborative unite

Collaborated Unity is an opportunity to practice communication skills and explore different disciplines.

  • About Collaborated Unity

In this week we played a game, each person folded paper into three parts and different people worked together to draw the head, body and feet of an animal. When the subject was clear we created some great work, but when the subject was unclear, everyone drew something that was not connected. This reminded me of the importance of clarity of purpose in the collaborative process.

  • Theme: Utopia and Anti-Utopia

We have chosen Utopia and Anti-Utopia as our themes. Initially we wanted to try out some 3D scenes combined with visual effects to create a short film. Anti-utopia is expressed through people’s brains being trapped in a virtual world and bound in a container, while utopia is expressed through real-life niceties, such as talking to your family on the phone, eating a slice of pizza, or holding hands between lovers.

These are the sketches we made during our brainstorming sessions, the laboratory, the apple symbolising a beautiful utopian life and a series of representative objects.

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Advanced and Experimental 3D computer Animation Techniques 1

Week1: Ideas

This week we learnt to render a series of shots in maya and use different shots to explain the story and through this showcase ideas about graduation designs.

  • The first scene shows two scientists who have developed a monster that has escaped from the lab. They have opposing views about the monster, one of them thinks it should be killed, the other thinks it has feelings and should be captured and brought back to the lab. Two scientists stand in front of the laboratory where the monster was once kept and argue fiercely

One of the scientists followed the monster to the remains of an ancient building in Egypt. The scientist tries to kill the monster, but is unsuccessful. On the roof of the building, the monster prepares to kill the scientist.

The scientist who thinks the monster can be saved arrives to find his friend in crisis and he calms the monster and protects his friend.

  • The second idea was to create a story about traditional Chinese customs, inspired by temple fairs and ‘Nuo Mian’. ‘Nuo Mian’ is a mask that people wear during the Chinese New Year parade and the legend says that the person wearing the mask is a messenger of the gods. Most of the processional masks are designed as very majestic images of monsters.

In a village there was a monster with a terrible mask on his head and people were afraid of him. This Chinese New Year, a little girl was alone to release the lantern, she wished not to be alone anymore. When the lantern flew into the air, a strong wind suddenly blew and the lantern looked like it was going to fall. The little girl chased the lantern and accidentally walked into the monster’s residence. The monster is very frightened, but the little girl is very happy when the monster fixes the lantern and they fly the lantern together.

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Design for Animation, Narrative Structures and Film Language

Week10：Critical Report

Critical Report Structure

A clear and systematic structure should be evident. Further analysis and discussion of the topic according to the structure

Title

Abstract

Key Words

Contents Page

Introduction

Literature Review

Main Body of Text

Conclusion

Bibliography

This repoert focuses on the use and impact of cultural hybridity in films, discussing cultural hybridity as distinct from cultural hybridisation. By analysing cultural hybridity films, the report will describe how cultural hybridity affects the characterisation and film plots , analyse what advantages and disadvantages cultural hybridity brings as well as the ways cultural hybridity can be changed for a better result.

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Design for Animation, Narrative Structures and Film Language

Week9： Researching cultural hybrids

Film is a comprehensive form of artistic expression and cultural hybridisation has influenced cinema in a number of ways, including：

  • Film is also a kind of information transmission, a way for people to understand the world, such as the landscape in the song in the rain, or the Americans in Paris, they both through the reference to other cultural elements to enrich the background of the story, to bring the audience a better viewing experience.

  • Many film bring audience special feelings, and ideas. For example, Mulan not only builds the eastern cultural background of the story, but also promotes a view of life.
  • The heroic image of the protagonist’s selfless dedication and bravery and confidence is in line with the values promoted by contemporary society, attracting audiences while influencing more films.
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Design for Animation, Narrative Structures and Film Language

Week8：The benefits of cultural hybridization

What are the benefits of cultural crossbreeding?

1 Cultural hybridisation reduces the barriers between cultures to a certain extent, giving different cultures the opportunity to understand and communicate with each other, albeit with certain difficulties, which can be improved through equal exchange and deeper understanding.

2 Cultural hybridity is in autonomous choice, often in line with social trends, and culturally hybridised industries can better adapt to globalisation. Some film industries have used cultural hybrids to expand their markets around the world.

For example, Disney’s early adaptations of the plot based on European stories, combined with the popular comedy culture of the time, and Chaplin elements were more common in early Disney animation. Later on Disney began adapting ballads from other cultures, combining them with popular culture.Disney has responded to the changing times.

3The impact of cultural hybridisation on the artistic field

In the film Kill Bill, the director has created a diverse heroine through cultural hybridisation. It is a fresh approach to characterisation, combining feminism with Eastern Bushido, where the plot of revenge and the female character combine to form a confident and powerful female figure. A new form of characterisation has been created through cultural hybridisation.

Categories
Design for Animation, Narrative Structures and Film Language

Week7： About the topic

By gathering relevant information, I learned that Cultural hybridisation is the process by which a culture accepts or absorbs certain cultural elements or cultural clusters from another culture and incorporates them into its own culture。

What kinds of cultural hybrids are included？

The practice of hybridisation, which takes place in cultural areas such as religion, language, sport and festivals.

For example like Nigerian kung fu, Bollywood films, salsa and reggae music.

While someone applaud the phenomenon, others are condemn it.

The idea of cultural invasion has been raised, with some arguing that cultural hybridisation has brought damage to traditional practices. This view focuses only on the bad side and sees cultural hybridisation as merely essentialist, while ignoring the benefits it brings.