Meeting my Assistant Animator Brief
As we approach the end to my assistant animator's role on this project brief I thought I would take time out to assess the key 'learning' aspects of the project. Hence the headers are taken straight from the syllabus and my reflections noted below.
• Insight into Level 6 Final Major...
There's no doubt I've got the insight into Level 6 final projects from my role as a 'hands on' assistant. Having spoken to a few level 6 students about their projects the scope and scale of the films they set-out to make varied widely. For instance Jessica's Knight Dragon project, work for assistants was delegated out across a cross-platform of 2d and 3d roles with Jess acting as a project manager as well as an animator/director of the final work.
Yet, working alongside Chris we essentially worked as a 'partnership' so Chris was involved throughout, guiding and advising on each step towards the film's production.
The 'experience' can be divided into many segments and for each one, the overall feeling differed dependant on different factors.
The Bad was always based on the 'location', the weather and the end results. Given the nature of the project required us to work in partial or full darkness and given the project ran over the course of british winter time (inc the coldest March in 50 years) then this accounted for the bad experience. Being a distance learner meant to be on-site meant I would be staying in Stoke for 12 hour days and travelling back late at night before having to be in for 10am lectures the following day.
The good was getting the chance to explore a new medium with 'light painting' as an art form. Getting an insight into Chris's passion for the 'method' required and having the technical know how to set-up the scenes to get his 'vision' onto the camera. Of course seeing what you've achieved at the end usually gives rise to some happy faces and knowing Chris was pleased with the output brought enough satisfaction to ride out the bad stuff.
• New inspiration & ways of working...
Who doesn't like to try something new? Moving away from conventional animated production and into what can only be called 'experimental' I felt was very brave of Chris. Tying in nicely to my own 'Experimental' component on Level 5, opened my eyes to the idea that animated work can be conducted outside, at night, with nothing but a torch a camera and some imagination. Working not only outside but 'on location' in local parks, abandoned buildings (probably condemned) and having to carry kit and equipment over 6' fences before we can even begin is definitely a 'new way of working'.
• Start to network with peers...
Not before time having the opportunity to network and work with your peers has been a welcome change. Sharing studio space with other Level 6 students has allowed a sneak-peak into their student world, some studio based like Daniel James 'The Piper, and some like Chris Wass 'Alive at Night'.
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