Style influences

For this animation I imagined the style to be fairly simple but really emphasise on the textures of the character and backgrounds. I want to experiment with different colour palettes, some which stay realistic to the environment and others which are very stylised to set different moods and change the atmosphere.

The triplets of Belleville film style:

When first seeing images from this film I found the style very unique and interesting. The use of a subtle paper texturing stood out to me as it gives the animation a traditional art feel. The colour palette intrigued me the most as it seemed that a lot of the colours had this overlaying sepia style effect, which I could imagine my environments having the same effect. Additionally, the warm colours in these images are similar to what colours are seen within the Savanna grasslands.

Black Water gospel style:

I found the style of this short animation film very inspiring. Although it is a 3D animation, the textures applied make it look and feel like a 2D animated film. Again, I was very drawn to the paper style textures and traditional art style mediums. I would like to apply this to my animation, as I plan to use a 3D model for my rhino character. Also I like the way the camera has a constant texture of dirt, which emphasises a sense of realism within the environment. Similarly the colours used in the first half of the animation are again in this sepia style tone, as the environment is based in a dessert like land. The lighting portrayed in this animation creates some very dramatic shadows, which creates quite an ominous atmosphere. Moreover, I would like to create the same appeal to my animation to emphasise the tension between the environment and the rhino character.

Mighty Antlers style:

Similarly to the previous video, this animation is 3D but uses textures to make it seem like a 2D style. What I found most intriguing with animation is the set up of the environments, which was in the style of projection images on to image planes which in done by using the 3D software Maya.

The way this animation switches between two different colour palettes was very interesting, much like a cause and effect. The animation starts off with a warm palette as the car drives through these roads surrounded by a dense forest, but as the man drives faster to hit a deer in the middle of the road a quick cut and shot of the deer triggers a much colder colour palette. I would like to try something similar with my animation, as I want to set up different moods and can do this by using different colour palettes. For example, using warmer and brighter colours at the end where the rhino gets rescued to signify a happier emotion. 

Second storyboard

Improvements to storyboard

The rhino perspective (RhinoCam) needs to build more tension and fear.

- Could work as a montage...

1. Shot of rhino looking around- to establish landscape/environment
2. cuts to it fleeing through long grass.
3. Sound FX of shouting and gunfire
4. Cuts to dusk, its feeding again.
5. Cuts to daytime, stood over the dead carcass of another rhino.
6. Cuts to fleeing again, and so on... untill it is established that the rhino is living in fear.
7. Eventually the shot of the rhino fleeing from the poachers and its hit  and screen blurs then fades to black... then sounds of helicopter and possibly narration about poachers over the black screen?
8. The eyes open, blinks 
9. View of beautiful landscape, animals grazing etc, other rhinos 
10. Narration about moving rhinos to a safer place.

First Storyboard

Improvements

After looking at my narrative I realised that it is too much like a list of events which makes the story very predictable.

Improvements:

- Start off as the rhino is being poached, so the audience thinks the rhino is going to be killed. BUT rangers/WWF staff are actually saving the rhino.

Also another interesting feature could be to have the sound from rhino's perspective but not whats going on visually. 

Further research:

WWF successfully transported its 7^th black rhino population, using seemingly unconventional means.

Airlifting rhino by its ankles, to save the critically endangered species.

The immense trip transported 19 of the animals 1500km across South Africa to a secret new location.

Continuation improving narrative:

Starting from pervious shot 6.

7. Black screen, non-diegetic sounds of what seems to be sawing off horn.. mumbled talking, people rushing about

8. Tracking shot and zooming out of rhino being transported by helicopter in order to save the species from poachers. 

9. Message on screen.

Story telling

In order to create an effective narrative you need to think about these points:

- Always think about audience> remember they only know what you can show them...
- Drama/conflict
- You don't need to show everything> straight to the point
- Try not to make it predictable
- Create emotion
- Let the audience fill in the gaps> have the audience go on a journey.
- Story should have an arc
- Juxtaposition
- Play with the genre
- Set up tension early

Improving narrative - First attempt:

1. Rhino's point of view, grazing... non-diegetic sound of helicopter in distance. Camera pans round to look for sound.
2. Helicopter is seen with in frame.
3. Rhino starts to panic slightly 
4. As camera turns, poachers standing there with guns.
5. Rhino turns again and runs through the grassland, non-diegectic sound of tranquilliser shot.
6. Camera starts to blur, slow down, lower to the ground.
7. Really fast cuts between the passing out of the rhino to the black market, where the rhino horn is being sold. People buying ornaments and using it for medicine. Really emphasising the use of sound.
8. Black screen with non-diegetic sound of horn being sawn off.
9. Ariel shot of rhino lying on ground starting to wake up with horn missing, blood over its face.
10. Message on screen. 

Environment sketches

Rhino Head model

I made a rhino head model out of clay, so I can use it as drawing reference. Also thought it would help me out when it comes to modelling it in 3D using Mudbox. Using this material I could really create some interesting textures for the skin and horn. As the horn is made out of keratin (same material as nails and hair) it seems like it damages quite easily.

Rhino Sketches

CT6MAJAN- environment research

Environment:

-       Hill/mountain background

-       Open grassland> high grass

-       Trees/bushes

-       River

-       Dusk

-       Dirt track/path

-       Colours

o   Climate

- Hot

-  Dry?

-  Cold night

o   Atmosphere/mood

-  Ominous

-  Eerie

-  Danger

-       
      Black rhinos are mainly found in grassland-forest transition zones, but are present in habitats ranging from desert in south-western Africa to montane forests in Kenya.

Sky:

I really wanted to emphasise the skies within my environment so I can create an emotive atmosphere for the viewer.

-       Lighter colours in back

o   Signifying that goodness is being over seen?

-       Darker colours in back

o   Dark looming clouds> very dramatic, ominous appeal

-       Colour perspective

o   Light coming from back is cool, objects in background are warmer than foreground

o   Warm sky colours> sunset sky is warm

-       Atmospheric perspective

o   Dry air> more transparent as less moisture in air

CT6MAJAN- Developing idea research

I have decided to develop my first initial idea as I felt that animation had more depth and could express WWF's message more visually than my other idea. 

Further research plan:

Environment:

-       - Savanna grassland

-      - What colours?

-       - Colours in different times of day

Poachers:

-       - Tools/equipment used

-       - Mise-en-scene

o   Boots, clothing etc

Helicopter:

-     - Movement

-       - Model type?

Rhinos:

-       - Movement

o   Head

o   Run

o   Grazing

-       - Horn

o   Texture

o   Shape

o   Size

Planning/designing environment:

-     - Perspective: Atmospheric perspective

o   Value perspective, based on the variations of dark and light values from the foreground to the background.

Influences

Whilst researching for this unit, I was going to produce an animation for Amnesty International instead of WWF. I found some very interesting adverts from this company, which in fact influenced my rhino point of view idea.

This video uses very powerful and emotive cinematography to allow the viewer to become fully immersed in what is shown on the screen. By having the first person perspective it allows the view to imagine what it must be like to be a situation like the one portrayed.

I would like to create the same emotion within my animation from the perspective of the rhino. It will be challenging to create the same emotion between the viewer and the first person perspective in my animation as it is from a rhino’s perspective. So I loose the connection of human emotions that is seen within the amnesty advert, i.e. the audience are able to relate to the main protagonist, as he is human and can put themselves in his position.

The use of non-diegetic sounds within this advert has a huge influence on the viewer’s emotions, as throughout the majority of the video the screen is filled with an illusion of a sack being over the viewer’s head. This allows the viewer to use their imagination to create the scene within their head just by listening to the sounds. The sounds are very uncomfortable and disturbing to listen to which plays a big role in this illusion for the audience. In my initial idea I have a scene, which the rhino blanks out after he has been tranquilised, I would like to use the same approach by using sounds of sawing off the horn, people mumbling in foreign language and people using different tools on the rhino’s horn. I want to make the viewer feel unnerved whilst hearing these sounds, which depict the reality of rhino poaching.

By using first person perspective in my animation it will allow the story to build a relationship between the audience and the rhino. Putting the viewer in this situation will create sympathy for the rhino character; realising how inhumane and cruel poachers are to these animals and hopefully leaving the viewer wanting to donate to help stop this cause.

CT6MAJAN- Initial ideas

Second Initial idea:

After reading about the process of rhino horn trade, I imagined creating an informative kinetic style animation showing the journey of the rhino horn. Indicating how intricate the process is, how many people are actually involved and how highly organised this operations are. Then finally the selling on the black market and showing the end use of the horn (e.g. medicine for a hangover/cancer).

CT6MAJAN- Initial idea

-   First initial idea:

         1. From point of view of rhino… quietly eating in the Savanna grasslands.

-       2. Non- diegetic sound of helicopter, camera looks up sees it.

-       3. Rhino begins to run, tranquiliser gun shot (non-diegetic)

-      4. Screen visuals are getting blurred, camera starts to fall to floor, shaking slightly, slowly going in and out of consciousness.

-       5. Sound of poachers approaching rhino, low mumbled talking.

-       6. Poachers boots come into frame, tool bag drops in front of rhino.

-       7. Black screen, sounds of sawing off the horn.

-       8. Message/text on screen:

                example:

                  “The sad thing is the suffering for this rhino isn’t over, he will wake up with half his face missing and bleed to death.”

-       9. WWF organisation information etc

             

                   “Please donate to stop the killing”

    -  Could have a red billed oxpecker on rhinos face/horn, as sounds of helicopter gets louder, its flies away signifying danger approaching.

-    - Ending possibility: 

                  Zooming out shot from the rhinos eye crying whilst narration of shot 9. then end with organisation information. 

CT6MAJAN- WWF's message

    WWF's main message that they want people to be aware of:    

     (from WWF website)

     Help dispel the dangerous myths:

      - The demand for rhino horn is increasing in Vietnam because in recent unfounded claims it can cure everything from cancer to hangovers.

    

      Rhino horn is made of Keratin, the same substance as human hair and nails. Researchers have found no evidence that rhino horn has any medicinal effect. 

      Poaching: changed tactics and raised the levels of poaching. There are now high powered weapons, a vet for tranquilliser, helicopters which have infra-red to hunt in the dark and it has become a highly organised operation. 

      It is estimated that at least one rhino is killed every single day. 

      What is WWF doing?

WWF is working to protect the black rhino and increase its numbers by:

- Expanding existing protected areas and improving their management

- Establishing new protected areas

- Improving security monitoring to protect rhinos from poaching

- Improving local and international law enforcement to stop the flow of rhino horn and other illegal wildlife trade items from Africa to other regions of the world

- Promoting well managed wildlife-based tourism experiences that will also provide additional funding for conservation efforts.

How can people help?

- Make a donation to WWF.

This can help support the training of sniffer dogs and equip staff with appropriate tools to help put a stop to smuggling illegal wildlife trade. 

      

     

CT6MAJAN- WWF Campaign research

Illegal Wildlife Trade:

WWF Website:

'The illegal wildlife trade is one of the biggest threats to the survival of some of the world’s rarest species. In fact it’s second only to habitat destruction as a cause of species loss and potential extinction. 

That’s why tackling illegal wildlife trade is such a vital and urgent part of our work at WWF.'

- I will be focusing on the illegal wildlife trade of rhino horn. 

Proposal

For this project I have chosen to create an awareness animation for the charity World Wildlife Foundation. I have decided that I will be focusing on rhino poaching as my theme, as at the moment rhinos are rapidly decreasing due to poaching of their horns and facing near extinction if nothing is done about it.

I want to create an animation that will make the audience realise what suffering rhinos go through, and to see things from their perspective and point of view. For an affective awareness animation, I believe that there needs to be some shock value that makes the audience realise the horror of poaching. However, it should be some what informative so people know what they can do to stop this and which ways they can help, for example, by donating to the World Wildlife Foundation charity.

Firstly I will research the ways that the WWF charity help the rhinos and what the public can do in order to help. I will then research in to the world of poaching, the methods in which poachers use to get a rhinos horn. Also looking into what a rhino’s horn is used for after it is taken from the rhino.

For the style of the animation I wanted to try use digital matte painting technique for the backgrounds. So having a 2D look for the overall film but it will be set up in 3D space to create depth. For the rhino character I am going to download an already made 3D model, as I am not confident in modelling my own character. Moreover, I would like to focus and spend more time on the backgrounds, narrative and animation of the character. I do not want to download a realistic model for the rhino, so I may have to modify a downloaded rig if necessary to fit the style of my animation.

I particularly wanted to pay attention to the colour palette of this animation, as I feel the colours will emphasise the mood of the character and the atmosphere. For the environments I will be basing it on the African Savannah Grasslands. So I will have to create many colour studies in order to replicate the intricate colour palette seen with in these environments. I also wanted to emphasise the different times of day, so will create some sky studies.

Given that I manage my time effectively and plan all my scenes and animations correctly I feel like I will have enough time to create this animation. By creating an animation from the rhino’s point of view I will have to consider the movement of the camera, this may take the most time, as it requires a lot of planning and research in order to create a believable rhino movement.