Antagonist animation tests...

Following on from the previous post, here are the three different shots of the antagonist I experimented with today. All these shots will be contribute for the build up towards the transformation of Callisto. Considering the shortage in time to collect the relevant footage, I set about doing different versions of each test to have more choice when it comes to the editing of the film.

In the film I need to convey the fact that one of the characters is creeping up to the other with the intention to attack. Seeing as I have filmed the characters separately, It was important to recognise the gaps between my already shot animations and the ones needed including the antagonist. This was probably the most live idea generation I have done in this process. I am happy with today's progress and I think I have captured some really intriguing shots.

1. Juno walking up to tree before the POV (Point of View) shot leading up to the attack.

This was the first test that I did. After looking back over the images on the shoot, I noticed that the posture of the character wasn't quite right. The direction I had given to the actress meant she looked quite wooden. Seeing as she was sneaking, looking ahead at her victim, her posture needed to be larger in form, arching her back and using her arms and legs to convey a mischievous approach of the antagonist. You can see a noticeable difference in the next test:

The posture of the character is much better in test. There is a definite jilty feel to the film, something i'm really warming to in my process. I think this test isn't fully successful as it feels like there should be a pause once she reaches the tree, hides and then moves to attack. I have had the idea to perhaps cut off footage after 0.03 and then fuse this clip with another close up shot. To focus on the fact that Juno is discreetly following Callisto.

If cut here in the animation, it would leave room for detailed shots as a transition between the hiding behind the tree to the POV shot in Juno's perspective. This is a continuation of my idea to create a forced viewpoint to which the audience has to see.

Here are a few different experiments with close-up shots of the emergence of the character from the tree:

This was the first and the most simplest of the tests. Its very short and I don't like the obvious interaction between the character and the audience. The audience is part of the piece but only as an invisible bystander in this performance.

This footage is much more successful than the previous, as it subtly suggests she is looking at the character, Callisto, whom has already been introduced to the audience. I could imagine this shot woking well in between the shot of Callisto brushing her hair and her stroking her pregnant tummy. Then following that a shot of Juno walking from the tree and then the POV shot. Over the weekend, I intend on experimenting with editing the different footage clips in this scene.

These two tests were experiments with the use addition of hand movement in the shot. I'm not too keen on these as I don't think the angle the animation leaves the actress in would work when put together with the following shot.

Continued on next post....