Process
Lost and Found is the first official short animated video by Courtside Vision Corporation. The target audience for this animation is for 3rd to 8th grade students. The client gave a comic book as reference to create our final animation.
Goals
• Learned and utilized 3D models from Clip Studio Paint to pose and create animated movements.
• Formulated both the illustrations and camera shots, to time the movement in order for the animation to flow smoothly.
• Created colorful backgrounds and character expression in the animation.
• Produced an animatic video to get a clear idea of the final result before developing the final animation itself.
Inspiration
• The style for the characters in the animation were loosely based on characters from popular animations such as: Steven Universe, The Owl House, Young Justice and Ducktales.
• The animation format for the short educational film helps keep the children’s attention, while being simultaneously entertaining.
• The client specifically requested that the character designs should match their likeness from the original comic book references.
Project Plan
• Devised a plan to create original ideas while still using some of the clients' references. Visualized the ideas using storyboard concepts. Match the layouts and stories from the comic book into the animation.
• Improving character design for the comic book counterparts, created cleaner linework and story.
• Created a new look and new designs for the main characters in the comic.
• Developed an animatic video in order to see how it looks and how long the video is before finalizing.
• With COVID-19 situation going on currently, it is moved till the beginning of 2021.
Final
A look back from before and after into final animation. Comic book characters reference and illustrated by Tajae Keith.
Original colors and design in the comic.
Final Lead Girl design with color improvements.
Original colors and design in the comic.
Final design for the first mean girl with color improvement and new design.
Original colors and design in the comic.
Final design for the second mean girl with color improvement and new design style.
Original colors and design in the comic.
Final design for the lead guy with color improvement and new design style.
Original colors and design in the comic.
Final design for the Asian Guy with the color improvement and new design style.
Original colors and design in the comic.
Final design for third character with the color improvement and new design style.
Conclusion
Breakthrough Results of the Animation
• Improved use of movements and timing of the animation, especially when it comes to Clip Studio Paint Ex and Adobe After Effects.
• Always use camera shot terminology. They are useful, it gives an idea of how to plan your shots for the characters.
• Experience and understood what it means to work for an industry, and prepared to work on future animation films and shorts.
• The importance of working together with a team. When it comes to creating your own animation film, it's important to give specific assignments and roles for the short film.
• Practiced using 3D models and drawing illustrations to achieve smoothness for specific scenes.