The Animator Returns

Sasiton Wallace

Computer Application 11

Mr. Shappell

\The Animator Returns

By Sasiton Wallace

I am Sasiton Wallace but I will be referred to “Mookie” throughout the posts. I am a 16-year-old student that attends WBAIS (Israel). I’m currently in my third year of highschool and I take basic high school courses: such as, math, english, science, history, and language. Luckily, I was given the chance to take Computer Applications with Mr. Shappell as an elective. The reason why I joined Computer Applications is to learn how to effectively and efficiently learn how to use my various devices that I have. I own a laptop (Surface Pro 3), a Samsung phone, and various gaming consoles(PS4 and XBOX 1)that I still don’t know how to work. The only buttons I know are ON/OFF and VOLUME. Despite my lack of knowledge on these gadgets I still spend at least 4 hours every day using them for schoolwork or personal gain. 

 At first I thought being apart of this course meant learning C++, Java, or even Python, but for the past two weeks I’ve realized how this class is not what I expected. First off, this course isn’t like the traditional classes where they grade what you’ve learned throughout the year. In Computer Applications, we’re graded by how we learn. In other words, the steps taken to achieve our goal in this course. I believe getting in the mindset of learning as a learner and evaluating my flaws creates a more independent and stronger individual. Even though I’ve only been in this class a little over two weeks, I know I have gained a new skill that will help me in my other courses throughout my academic career. I’ve learned how to be a more self-directed and curious learner by being more involved in both my project and normal classes and asking the big WHY question. To be frank, I know nothing about technology, so I’m glad that this course allows students to pick an area that they wish to focus on and enhance new tools to help them as a learner. 

To start off my journey in Shap’s Computer Applications course, I had to figure out my area of interests. Right off the bat I knew I was going to be interested in art, such as animation, 3D modeling, or even applying some Photoshop skills.

 Back in middle school, I got my first tablet computer which allowed me to draw with a pen. This was the start of my digital art hobby and passion. My early work involved using scratch.mit.edu for very basic and simple animations. This small memory became the core reason why I picked animation as my overall project. I want to show my improvement as an artist and animator. On top of that, it will be a fun side by side comparison of my art growth. 

After figuring out what I wanted to focus on for this project, I have to make a plan and figure out the vague process that will lead me to an amazing 2D animation. To top things off, I went out to find the best free applications I can use to draw and put together an animation. I do not have money to offer, all I can afford is my time and devotion, so I’ve decided to use BLENDER 2.8 and FireAlpaca (bottom right corner). Blender 2.8 is a free program that offers many amazing features such as 3D modeling, animation, or even video editing. It has an amazing community with countless tutorials I can learn from. The best part about BLENDER is that it has NO watermark nor limitations to stop me from putting together my animation. FireAlpaca is my main application for all the digital art I do (when I freelance). It offers many tools and even an animation mode for a free to use application.

 

Initial Plan #1 (Rough Draft) 

Learning Blender.  Along the way come up with setting/character(s)/goal Go in depth with the main character (Why are they so driven to do ___, what is their goal, and backstory) Character design (different angles)  Setting design Finding audio track  Sketch out the animation (Very few Frames/movement)  Sketch out the animation (Add a little more frames to make it look smoother)  Line art (cleaning up the sketches)  Coloring (no shading)  Shading  Put together the project in Blend (ART - MUSIC - ETC)  *MAKE SURE ANIMATION IS ALSO ON BEAT WITH MUSIC

With every great project comes up with a very vague outline/plan that states the steps I will take to achieve my goal. I know this plan will change, but it’s the basic core ideas to keep this project on task. My long term goals for this project will revolve around the two main resources that I will be using: Blender and FireAlpaca. For Blender, I must learn how to use the program because when I open up the application I am greeted with this screen: 

And I have no idea where to start or what exactly I need for a 2D animation and 3D Model of my character. As mentioned before, Blender has a large community that post tons of useful tutorials. I will be learning the ropes through the official Blender website and youtube tutorials. Luckily for me, I have little experience in FireAlpaca, so doing the drawings for my animation will be no problem for me. All I need is motivation, commitment and time to draw out my storyboard, animatic, and official animation.  

My short term goals relate to more of the actual story I wish to tell through my animation. This means coming up with a good plot people are willing to watch, finding the right soundtrack, and coming up with the character(s) sketches. These are short term goals because They should take at most 2-10 days to complete. 

In conclusion, I hope to create a 2D animation that tells a short story within 3-5 minutes. This product will be able to communicate a story through multiple pictures and some audio track. This product will be understandable and easy to follow. The product will also have characters people will be able to relate to to understand without reading the backstory of the character(s). This means the audience will know the characters' goals, intention, and conflicts (etc..). Most importantly, I want to see my growth as a learner and artist. Now I will start on coming up with a theme and plot for my animation to give it purpose and reason.