Create and justify a planned animation (M3, D2)
Learning outcome 3: Be able to create a planned animation
M3: Optimise the content for use in the final animation
Low quality animation version
Evidence
Low quality animation video
Evidence paragraph
This is the low quality version of my animation which i exported as a .mv4 file. This .mv4 file is the exact same as an .mp4 one, just different name as Apple calls it differently. This one is an example of a video and audio format which is great for storing such content, it saved my animation as a much smaller file size which is seen in the first screenshot. The format in that picture is in an Apple device one. This was done so that it can be played effectively and efficiently on more devices like an iPhone and an earlier style iPad. Since the file type is smaller it is better for these devices as they don't have as much space and memory as a larger one like a computer or TV and because of this, i saved the animation into a smaller file. This links to the compression rate which is H.264 meaning the animation is compressed into a smaller file without loosing any quality. Despite this, the quality is still great in relation to the device and the load time will be much faster as well as the video consuming a lot less memory. I did this as instructed by the brief, it says 'the animation must be exported in a format that would be suitable for distribution across the web or on a smartphone interface'. Because of this my animation can be seen on a smartphone which is a positive as it means more people can see it. Not only this, the smaller file size is great as it means the downloading and streaming time doesn't take as long. Finally, i used BITMAP images in these lower resolution version of my animation because these images need less space and don't need a large amount of memory on these devices. A JPEG and a PNG are examples of BITMAP images as they are of lower quality but can be shares across devices.
Evidence
High quality animation video
Evidence paragraph
This is the high quality version of my animation which i exported as a .mov file. This file is another example of a video file format which holds larger videos with text and audio. These are much larger files which are used on larger devices, as seen in the second screenshot, it's only compatible with a mac computer. They allow videos to be edited and they have the space to hold each of the versions, these are much much larger allowing my animation to be of clear quality and suitable for such devices. The size of my final .mov animation has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and is in the format of video and audio, these are all seen in the screenshots above. They are quite hard to send over the internet and download because of how large they are so they'd be used in cinemas and on TV. The details of the animation get picked up better and nothing is lost resulting in a more complete, clear and crisp production. Since these are so large they will be unable to be shared on smaller devices like a smartphone so i needed to save a different version which is accessible on a phone. The compression rate for this high quality version is ProRes which is a professional resolution which doesn't actually compress this file as it is used in films for example seen on the computer or in a cinema. Due to this it uses a lot of memory and a lot of storage so it keeps all the original content on the file. I used this compression rate as it allowed me to produce a high quality version of my animation which was instructed by the brief. This video can be seen in an advert before, during or after a film promoting the ZombieFest march to the intended audience. The file size of my final animation is huge as it needs to be suitable for large screen devices, this is seen in the screenshot above. Finally, i used VECTOR images in this file type because when the image is enlarged they are of much better quality, these are usually saved as a cmg, svg, odg, eps, xml, it is made up of objects rather than pixels. These pictures don't blur when the video is expanded as they are of higher quality so can be seen clearly on full screen.
D2: Justify the choice of animation technique for the frame rate and duration
Justify why i chose stop-motion animation discussing the frame rate and duration
For my ZombieFest advert animation i chose a stop-motion animation style, this is a really well known animation type used by many successful companies like in the series of Pingu. It was also used during adverts like mine in a successful chocolate brand one being maltesers. Since they used stop-motion animation in such a short advert, it encouraged me to use this technique in my own work. Stop-motion is a way to bring inanimate objects to live through moving the subject in tiny movements and photographing it after each move, one all the pictures are collected it gives the illusion that the object is moving. I used Lego characters both in human form and zombie form to promote the upcoming ZombieFest march, i made them pass locations which were listed in the brief like Leicester Square Station, the live music and food stalls as well as the Prince Charles Cinema.
The frame rate i used in this animation was 24 frames per second (FPS), this helps to make a fluent transition between each photo and scene, allowing the Lego characters in my animation to move smoothly throughout the video. Moreover, 24 FPS is what is usually used in the film industry like for example in the Wallace and Gromit franchise. It means the characters were moved a tiny bit and photographed 24 times and this is condensed into one second of the animation. As stated in the brief i needed to create an animation which is "engaging for an adult audience of dedicated horror enthusiasts" so working with this i created a snappy, memorable minute advert which does exactly this. I incorporated zombie content into the video which links to horror enthusiasts using stop-motion. The total duration of my animation was 1 minute and 10 seconds meeting all of the briefs criteria. Since i was instructed to make an advert i created a short one which still engages an intrigues my adult audience as it includes various stalls, costumes and music which appeals to a wide audience.
Debug chart on the syncing of image with sound
Below is my debug chart where i have identified any problems within my animation that i need to change and adapt. I also found what works well and what i'll keep the same.
Video evidence of three user tests and written test plans from my intended target audience
Mia Syalon - 18
Isabelle Schofield - 18
D2: With reference to your plan and client brief, write a report justifying your final product
Using the feedback to see how the animation is suitable for purpose
The animation i have created in the theme of zombies is fit and suitable for purpose. My intended audience are adult audience of dedicated horror enthusiasts as instructed by the brief. Since my target audience age are adults above 18 i included content which they would enjoy, like a range of different costumes which show the ZombieFest march is for everyone. The use of the Lego characters creates a nostalgic feel for them as they are brought back to their childhood when discussing adult zombie content. Not only this, the content within my animation is at an adult's level of interest while also being appropriate to my younger audience which is important as this will be an advert in between other TV shows and episodes meaning some child audiences will see my video. Even though some of my intended audience feedback suggested that i change some of my content to make it more gruesome i won't due to the BBC watershed which means no graphic content will be shown before 9pm. Due to this, even though my audience is adults i have catered some of my content within the animation to be appropriate for children, by not including gore and blood.
Furthermore, the gender that my animation appeals to is both male and female, i used male and female characters as the main ones and by doing this my animation is suitable for them. It promotes the idea of a zombie costume dress-up march which appeals to everyone. In the scenes where my characters are actively at the march there are many many more behind them on the backplate both who are male and female. Due to this, there are a range of people all in costumes which therefore shows how my animation is appealing for any gender. In my intended target audience feedback i didn't receive any changes to include more genders or more people which is great showing that this animation is in fact suitable for purpose.
As for the race and ethnicity, this wasn't really a huge consideration or factor i faced as my style of animation is suitable for everyone. The human characters i used were Lego and were yellow; once they changed to zombie characters they were of different shades of green and due to this i am not misrepresenting any one race or ethnicity. Therefore this means that my animation does appeal to everyone regardless of race and ethnicity as real life people are never seen in the production. This remains the same with the other characters at the march, none of them are human which reinforces the idea that my animation is suitable for everyone and therefore fit for purpose to promote a zombie march.
Finally, for my class target audience there really isn't one selected as the whole purpose of my production is to promote a zombie march for zombie lovers. All of the characters within the video have all the same opportunities to access the Prince Charles cinema, the food stalls as well as the live music meaning that not one class over the other is prioritised. Not only this, since this animation is a promotion advert it will be on TV in between channels and episodes meaning everyone will be able to see it, although this could be argued that since a TV licence costs it appeals more to the middle class. However, the adverts will also be available in between YouTube adverts which is a free streaming website allowing both the middle and working class to watch it and enjoy the animation. My intended target audience had a small amount of feedback on the text style used as the number 7 was difficult to read. During my user tests i also found that this may be an issue, it could be argued that people of lower social classes find it more challenging to read certain text due to the font and in that case i will change the style in use now to something more legible so that everyone can enjoy the animation and so that my animation is fit for purpose.
There wasn't really any other feedback i received from my test plans and user tests in relation to the target audience, instead there was some other comments. For example during my debug chart i found was to move the dialogue in line with more of the movements, this isn't really a huge element i would need to adapt but it was useful to know. Likewise, during one of the user tests completed by Cameron, he suggested that at the end of my advert i include more details about the march, maybe done through a social media link or a hashtag, this feedback is incredibly useful as the brief instructs me to promote the march and encourage people to join it in Central London in January. Because of this, i will develop on his feedback and include further details to motive people to come along. Despite this though, he found my animation very engaging liking the use of characters and the storyline. Since the video appealed to him he says that he would be likely to come to the march. Therefore, from his feedback i conclude that my zombie-themed animation is fit for purpose. The feedback i received from Mia and Isabelle had quite similar ideas, wanting me to include some gore and blood so that my adult audience are more engaged. I spoke about this earlier and as the advert needed to still appeal to any children seeing it i wouldn't make it too graphic but i would definitely use some of their comments by including some cobwebs and maybe even some body-part decorations.
Finally, my final animation is fit for purpose as i have included many requirements listed on the brief. To begin, this advert was a 'promotional animation' and i showed is throughout the video, especially at the end when i wrote 'Come to the ZombieFest march'. By doing this i presented to my target audience an organised march by BrainGoo promotions. Also, i was able to relay to the audience that the theme is zombie-fancy dress taking place in Central London near Leicester Square Station; i was able to do this by using a backplate of Leicester Square Station and once my characters, Hank and Zoe passed the station they were transformed into zombie attire. As instructed by the brief i also used locations like live music, food stalls and the Prince Charles Cinema; by using these landmarks and costumes i was able to my animation fit for purpose, in that i was promoting the march. Penultimately, i created a short promotional advert which was able to be watched 'across the web or a smartphone interface' and this is shown through my user tests. This means my animation is fit for purpose because by having available on multiple devices i am able to directly target my target audience. This leads to my final point in that the animation was for an 'adult audience of dedicated horror enthusiasts'. Having a short promotional video was the perfect way to do this, as well as using nostalgic characters. All of the above mean that i was able to create an advert suitable for promoting the ZombieFest march, therefore all the content within makes it fit for purpose.
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