Tibetan Buddhist Culture

A necessary trip to the Indian Embassy at Edinburgh ended in a day-trip around the tourist spot as well. So, we went to the National Museum of Scotland. I cam across a section that was devoted to Buddhist Tibetan Culture. Since, Sheng's film is based on a love story in a Tibetan Monastery, I turned this visit into research. I took some pictures of the Prayer wheels installed there.

 After going through the description, I understood the importance of the prayer-wheel in Buddhism and its true essence.

I have already made the prayer wheels. However, i would like to remodel them to look somewhat like this. I want my models to look as realistic as possible.

This might be helpful for the texturing of the prayer-wheel.

The different details and carvings around the Prayer-wheel station that are part of the Tibetan culture. 

There was also a place where we could make a prayer-flag. I made a Prayer Flag too. Below is a video that was at the museum describing every bit that goes in the making of a Prayer-wheel and also its importance in Buddhism.

Supervisor Meeting

Today,we had a meeting with Sharon. She was overall happy with the storyboard that we have put together.

Some of the things that might need a look into is for one more human involvement in the story. So,we are planning that Lilly(the owner) will be present in the garden at all times oblivious to the dog-bird fight. Maybe doing some gardening or putting up some clothes to dry. However, since that would be a challenge as putting up clothes will require excellent knowledge of ncloth. We might look into that.

Also by bringing Lilly to the garden it will save us time as we will then just need to make the exterior of the house plus it will save screen time as well.

Another issue that came to the forefront was using 2D Backgrounds with 3D Animation. Sharon told us that it will be easier for us to get things together if we did not try and merge two different animation styles. So, that is a thing that we will be discussing in our next team meeting.

Sharon liked the piece of Narration that I have made for my counterpart research film. Currently,I am working on its visual presentation and story-boarding.

For the next meeting, we are required to have polished Animatic of both the films, 3D Model of Lilly, Colour tones that we might use for the films and background styling.

According to the production schedule, and my planning we must have the Animatic ready by 21st February so that I can go ahead with my Focus Group Research.

Moodboard for story

In our last meeting with Sharon, we were asked to make a few moodboard for the animation art style that we would like to pursue. I checked and searched on Google and have come with these ideas.

Since,my research is based on the birds going extinct, after much research I squared on these three birds that  are not only beautiful but would make a good study for the character designing on Sheng's part. The first ones for each are life pictures while others are their caricatures taken from various websites.

We have been considering what form of Background Art style we might go for. So,I got together this one that might be of some help.

Supervisor Meeting

Our concept and story have started to take some shape now. In a meeting,with Sharon,we discussed our story idea and what animation art style that we might like to pursue. Initially,we had planned for 3D Characters on 2D Backgrounds. However, I was introduced to 'pocoyo' art style where there is no background. I found this quite interesting and time-saving as we have to prepare animatics of two films. 

Lilly is directing the first film and for my research I am directing the second. However, all four of us our currently having a go at the storyboard our style. I am the Production Manager. I am new to this. I find scheduling everything on google Calender easier.However, I intend to make one on Excel too.

We all are now concentrating on Concept Art and Moodboard for the Animation Art style. Also,we plan to have a rough animatics ready by next Supervisor Meeting. 

With the Going Live and Reflection on Module Assessment there is already a lot to do. Let's see how effectively we use this time.