Vine Evaluation

Evaluation

For my 2D animation project I have identified various strengths and weaknesses throughout my planning process. I felt that my general planning process went quite well as I managed to state the specific details I needed to do throughout the process of my production. This included specific techniques which I wanted to use e.g. rotoscoping as well as applications I was going to use to make my production e.g. Adobe Flash CC. However, I found that from my original plan I had a few flaws as I realized there was some sections which I originally wanted to include, but in the end didn’t include in my final production. Also, I didn’t consider how I was going to edit my final production all together with the soundtrack and rotoscoped image and video.

My finished product was something which I more or less what I wanted to achieve, although as I previously stated, there was scenes which I didn’t end up including in my final production as it disrupted the fluidity of my vine. Specifically, this was the second scene that I originally wanted to include of a punching scene and sound effect to add an aspect of comedy as this was considered a popular theme from my primary research. However, I was pleased with the outcome of my rotoscoping designs as it clearly represented diversity to which I intended, e.g. the final scene with the Esher students from all different ethnic backgrounds. I also felt that the panning shot I filmed of the canteen went considerably well as there was a wide range of students, and made it seem as a though it was a well-populated place to be at Esher College.

If I were to complete this task again, I would decide to change minimal aspects of my vine. For example, one of the members of my focus group suggested I include some positive words in the vine, to increase the positive atmosphere that I want to promote for Esher College. I would most probably, alter my soundtrack so that I was somewhat longer, as well as alter the lyrics that were used in my soundtrack. I originally sang, “when I am with you, there’s no place I’d rather be” however I would decide to alter it so it was more specific towards Esher College by singing “When I’m at Esher, there’s no place I’d rather be” which conveys that Esher College is the place to be. I would also like to attempt to include the comedy that I wanted to include but in the way that didn’t disrupt the fluidity of my actual vine. Also, another person said that maybe it would be a good idea to show diversity in other aspects of the college e.g. the subjects, whilst another said that I could add more detail to my rotoscope, which I think they’re referring to my video which only involves outlining the characters of the panning shot.

From the feedback I got from my focus group, I found that all the people I questioned enjoyed the use of rotoscoping as my 2D animation technique in my vine, as I used that technique for my entire vine. One person in particular found that they loved the ending with the Esher students which as well as promoting the Esher College brand image, it also uses different colours to represent diversity as well as using the key Esher College colours which I found were key in my analysis of the Esher College prospectus and website. These colours were mainly yellow and black. The good use of bright colours and lighting was found to promote Esher in a positive way as well as the representation of community.

On the other hand, I would also like to refer to current and past practice of work such as other promotional vines that may or not may not use 2D animation techniques. For example, I decided to investigate specific vines which incorporated rotoscoping, and looked at what they did with the animation to complete the 6 second vine. I looked at vines which incorporated music and people. I found that, the flow of the vines were very smooth, and also had a good narrative so you could understand what the vine was trying to convey. In one particular vine, I found it created an impactful performance with an alteration with colour before disclosing the title of the piece. This was what I originally intended to do before I disclosed the college’s name and brand image.

However, I found that in comparison to my vine, the vines itself were very detailed especially in facial features and clothing (referring to the characters of the vine) which I personally included but only for the last scene. I felt that my vine itself was more colourful; though all the vines I looked at as well as my own were all very realistic. Also, I found that although my vine was detailed and represented the college in a positive manner, the narrative wasn’t as clear as the vines that I looked at. Nonetheless, I think the music used for my vine as well as the others were all suitable to their purpose and the scenes in the vines went well with the music.