Animation Sneak Peek!

I hope you're super excited!

Why? Because I'm finally going to show you a tiny little snippet of this animation I have been working on all semester. Now, keep in mind, not every scene will be like this. But they should all be really great!

My actress, Meredith, has been wonderful. She has picked up a good sense of timing, and her subtle movements I occasionally request are completely elegant. And she does it all without complaining, even though she's coming down with the flu! She has been completely wonderful, and incredibly helpful. I don't think this project would have been as great if it weren't for her help.

I'll be in my studio editing until they kick me out tonight. I'm really anxious to see this finalized! Plus, I'm trying to finish it as soon as possible so my wonderful musician, Josh, has optimal time to compose something amazing.

Alright, and now for some lovely images from today's shoot...

That last image should give you an idea of my ridiculous set up I had. The shoot consisted of me moving fabric & objects & Meredith's hair & everything else, then smoothing out the backdrop, and running up the ladder, where my laptop was (hooked up to my camera), taking a frame, running back down, & doing it all over again. Animations are always such a workout for me. I never make things easy. Plus, we ran into all sorts of technical difficulties this morning.

I'm also getting copies of some photos taken of me running around like a nut, so you can see more behind the scenes stuff. Oh, and tomorrow I may just share a funny little time lapse of me animating this.

So anyway, what do you think?

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54. I decided to get something from the vending machine upstairs.

55. I couldn't decide what I wanted. Peanut m&ms are yummy, but as soon as I get up there, I realize how much more you get for your money for a Butterfinger.

56. Steve and I analyzed how much came in each package. He likes to check how many ounces. It's a good strategy.

57. He talked me into getting the "Big Texas" cinnamon roll.

58. It almost got stuck. I was sad.

59. But then, 2 came out. Lucky? I think so.

60. I gave the other to Steve since it was his idea.

61. I still have editing to do.

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36. Just finished shooting my animation.

37. It involved me climbing up and down a ladder for hours on end.

38. Poor Meredith was sick and still wanted to do it. For this, I love her even more.

39. I'm going to have buns of steel by breakfast.

40. I had a muffin for breakfast today from the cafe across the street.

41. I've been up since 7:15am. 

42. I went to bed around 4 something am.

43. I haven't had any coffee today.

44. And yet, I'm surprisingly upbeat.

45. It looks like I'm homeless and living in my studio.

46. I even have a suitcase and an air mattress here.

47. Megan just thought it looked like a stop motion studio.

48. I'm happy with that.

49. I have to run over to the other building and do a million and a half things before animation class tonight.

50. I'm going mad. But all the best people are.

51. At least, that's what I tell myself.

52. I'm in love with these floral dresses from Delia's. (Dear Ciara, dibs.)

53. I'll be back tonight, hopefully with some pictures to give you a little more insight into this crazy animation process.

35

35. It's pouring outside. There's a good amount of thunder & lightning. I have to walk home. Awesome.

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30. The last time I got my haircut was Holy Thursday last year, right before I met up with some actors and shot an animation. Holy Thursday is in 10 days. I will be shooting an animation again.

31. I'm afraid of going to Fast Eddy's Chop Shop. I've had my hair but by the same person for the last 4 years. I'd like to keep it that way. 

32. This temporary dye was supposed to wash out after 28 washes, or a little longer since I'm naturally blonde. I dyed it November 1st. I wash my hair every day. I think that's 142 washes.

33. I want to be blonde again.

34. I have done way too much math tonight for this animation.

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24. I burnt my tongue. I can't really taste much. This is not the first time this has happened.

25. I have coffee teeth.

26. I need to start keeping a toothbrush in my studio.

27. I do, however, have an air mattress in here that looks mighty tempting right now.

28. It was here for my animation. So facilities better not take it away.

29. But man, it is so comfortable.

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21. Just spent the last half hour trying to figure out why my animation was playing at 8 frames per second no matter what I did with time remapping, even though my comp settings were at 29.97 fps and the default still duration was at 2 fps. Finally realized it was the settings on RAM preview. Now poor Meredith looks as though she is having a seizure. Now I get to fix that.

22. Just went to get some coffee.

23. Coffee vending machine prices went up. This makes me sad. While it may be better for my health, I foresee my work (and wallet) suffering.