PROCESS & PRODUCTION BLOG11
Study Task - 1 Weekly Journal

Development

Foreground and background

The environment throughout this animation is always set as the background, with the main characters at the centre of attention in the foreground because of what they are saying and doing sets the main plot points for this short story. The only time the environment is featured as the foreground is in the final scene when the restaurant burns down, otherwise the characters are featured formally throughout or walking through the scenery such as the door, but again they are approaching the foreground for the audience to recognise them.

Shape, 2 and 3 dimensional elements and camera angles Unlike my previous animations which feature a single viewpoint and don't express the environment through different angles and 3 dimensional drawings, this animation changes the audience’s perception of the world these characters inhabit by showcasing the most important perspectives. 

This is an important technique that I have found very useful because it helps set objectives for the plot in this fantasy world of my animation, for example the characters appear before a set of doors, the first incentive for the audience, but then you get a shot from their front, right in their faces as they discuss the main plot points (figuratively). 

Then the next shot, this could be of the first shot from behind again viewing the entrance as they enter the restaurant (would've been much easier) but I decided to challenge the perceptiveness of the audience by positioning the shot from inside the restaurant, although this scene is fast paced, it seems that the camera is always one step ahead of the actual characters and I feel that I have grasped the faster pace of short animations. 

The camera does slow mid-way through once the main plot points have been established and takes its time viewing the dragons accidents and the warriors overreactions by enhancing on her facial expressions and closer to the dragon every time he breaks something. 

Then in the final shot we see the exterior of the restaurant again as it burns, using the warriors fire breath to transition between the scenes towards the end like she had intentionally turned and flamed the audience.